Quiet On Obaseki, Benin Dukes Hail FG, Oba Ewuare On Royal Museum Project

Dukes  (Enigies) from Benin Kingdom have commended the joint efforts of the federal government and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, towards the Benin Royal Museum’ project, in line with the principle of common and shared responsibility for result.

This was contained in a statement by  Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, on Sunday.

According to Iguobaro, at a meeting to review the progress so far, the Enogie of Iguogie Dukedom, HRH. Festus Osagiede, commended the level of progress made by stakeholders involved in the federal government-backed Benin Museum in Benin, where the artefacts and Bronzes will be kept.

Osagiede thanked the federal government and Oba Ewuare II for their determination and unwavering support in approvingly the Benin Royal Museum where all the repatriated Benin artefacts and Bronzes from Europe and other parts of the world, and other looted Benin works abroad that are yet-to-be returned, have started yielding visible fruits.

“We thank the federal government of Nigeria and the Oba of Benin for the great work that they are doing in the repatriation of the stolen Benin artefacts to the place of origin. We are fully in support of the Benin Royal Museum,” he said.

On their part, the Enogie of Ukhiri Dukedom, HRH. Aigbe Osayande, and his counterpart at Obadan Dukedom, both in Edo South Senatorial District of the state, HRH. Joseph Airhihenbuwa, pledged their loyalty to the Oba of Benin for being steadfast and prayed for continuous unity of Benin Kingdom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Notice No. 25 in the official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023, laid to rest, the steaming controversy over custody of the repatriated artefacts and Bronzes that were looted by foreign invaders from Oba of Benin Palace in Benin Kingdom. (NAN)

GWG.ng reports that prior to that Governor Godwin Obaseki had been engaged in a high level effort to mobilise for what was envisaged to be an international museum outside the palace to keep the artefacts.

However, the Benin monarch who is seen as the de facto owner of the artworks rebuffed the idea leading to what some alleged to be a discord between the palace and the government.

The Benin dukes were, however, mum on the role of the state government in the Benin Royal Museum project at their meeting.

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