The Oba of Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare ll, has charged the people not to succumb to pressure by some persons trying to either divert or sell the looted Benin artefacts (which are currently being returned to the country) for personal gains.
This was as the Benin Monarch insisted that the right and final resting place where the stolen artefacts should be returned to remains the Benin Royal Palace.
Oba Ewuare stated this when he played host to members of the Benin community in Abuja and principal officers of the Federal College of Education, Ekiadolor, Edo State, in Benin City.
He maintained that there was no controversy over the ownership or who should take possession of the repatriated artefacts.
The Oba insisted that the returned artefacts must be domiciled in the right place and urged the people of the state not to relinquish their heritage to strangers.
His words, “We won’t lose our heritage. You remember our Benin artefacts that were looted during the invasion of Benin by foreigners. Some of them have agreed to return them. But, it should be returned to the Oba of Benin palace.
“Edo people all over the world should not allow anyone to bamboozle them to give up their heritage to strangers. Benin artefacts were made by the famous Igun Bronze Casters’ Guild in Benin on orders of our forebears. The palace gave them the enablement and approval to make them.
“Our artefacts will not go to another destination. It should come to the right destination, which is Oba of Benin palace. Edo people should not allow them to be either diverted or sold. Edo people will not allow that to happen. Our ancestors do not approve of it.
“Advise your supporters and others to counsel those who are making such moves to retrace their steps. You should insist that the right thing is done at the right time for the benefit of Edo people.”
Oba Ewuare II commended notable Nigerians that have taken up the agitation for the return of the artworks.
