Oba of Benin Receives Looted Benin Artefact

The artefact were presented at the Oba’s Palace by the Consul-General of the Netherlands, Mr Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie in the Netherlands.

Following the February 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom, British forces invaded and looted Benin City, taking bronze works, ivory carvings and sacred objects. Many of these artefact were subsequently sold or distributed among British personnel before eventually finding their way into museums and private collections across the world.

Efforts to recover the artefact date back to previous Obas but gained momentum under Ewuare II, whose diplomatic experience as a former Nigerian Ambassador to Rome has helped advance the recovery process and protect the historical legacy of the ancient kingdom.

Chief Lucky Imasuen, former Deputy Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee, said the Netherlands had initiated the return of artifacts taken from Benin following the 1897 invasion.

Imasuen said every Benin artefact belonged to the Oba of Benin, regardless of the quantity, adding that more artifacts were expected to be returned.

He described the return of the artefact as significant, coming exactly 10 years after Ewuare II’s coronation and 129 years after many historical objects were looted from the Benin Kingdom.

Imasuen recalled that the artefact documented the majesty of the Oba and life in the kingdom, describing them as historical records that were kept in the palace before the invasion.

According to him, the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, recognises that the artefact were taken from the Oba’s Palace and should be returned there.

He thanked the government and people of the Netherlands for returning the artefact and choosing the Oba’s coronation anniversary for their presentation.

Ewuare II, the 40th Oba of Benin, was crowned on October 20, 2016. He was born on October 20, 1953.

The artefact were presented at the Oba’s Palace by the Consul-General of the Netherlands, Mr Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie in the Netherlands.

Following the February 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom, British forces invaded and looted Benin City, taking bronze works, ivory carvings and sacred objects. Many of these artefact were subsequently sold or distributed among British personnel before eventually finding their way into museums and private collections across the world.

Efforts to recover the artifacts date back to previous Obas but gained momentum under Ewuare II, whose diplomatic experience as a former Nigerian Ambassador to Rome has helped advance the recovery process and protect the historical legacy of the ancient kingdom.

Chief Lucky Imasuen, Former Deputy Governor of Edo State and Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee, said the Netherlands had initiated the return of artefact taken from Benin following the 1897 invasion.

Imasuen said every Benin artefact belonged to the Oba of Benin, regardless of the quantity, adding that more artifacts were expected to be returned.

He described the return of the artefact as significant, coming exactly 10 years after Ewuare II’s coronation and 129 years after many historical objects were looted from the Benin Kingdom.

Imasuen recalled that the artefact documented the majesty of the Oba and life in the kingdom, describing them as historical records that were kept in the palace before the invasion.

According to him, the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, recognises that the artefacts were taken from the Oba’s Palace and should be returned there.

He thanked the government and people of the Netherlands for returning the artefact and choosing the Oba’s coronation anniversary for their presentation.

Ewuare II, the 40th Oba of Benin, was crowned on October 20, 2016. He was born on October 20, 1953.

He thanked the government and people of the Netherlands for returning the artefact and choosing the Oba’s coronation anniversary for its presentation.

Ewuare II, the 40th Oba of Benin, was crowned on October 20, 2016. He was born on October 20, 1953.