In a powerful and emotionally resonant message delivered by his eldest daughter, Princess Ikuoyemwen Ewuare-Aimiuwu, the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, CFR, has hailed media mogul Prince Nduka Obaigbena for his instrumental role in the repatriation of Benin Bronzes to Nigeria.
The statement was read at the official signing ceremony of the handover of 119 Benin Bronzes from the Government of the Netherlands to Nigeria, held at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos on Saturday. The bronzes, looted during the British invasion of the Benin Kingdom in 1897, were formally returned following years of diplomatic advocacy and legal negotiation.
“We cannot appreciate enough a media guru, an industrious son of Edo land, who was very supportive in my campaign to stop these artefacts from being re-looted,” the Oba’s message read. “That media guru is none other than Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the chairman/owner of ARISE TV and ThisDay newspaper. He was with me throughout.”
The Oba praised Obaigbena’s efforts not only in the fight to ensure rightful ownership but also for using his platforms to amplify the voice of the Benin Royal Court and advocate for cultural justice. He also acknowledged Obaigbena’s role as a prominent member of the Board of Trustees of the Benin Royal Museum, further cementing his long-standing commitment to cultural preservation and restitution.
The monarch also expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and unwavering commitment to the return of Nigeria’s looted artefacts, a mission formally gazetted in March 2023 which reaffirms the Oba of Benin as the rightful owner and custodian of the artefacts.
“I thank the Federal Government of Nigeria, ably led by His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his support and commitment towards the return of our looted artifacts.
“Ever since the 1897 incident of arson and looting by British colonial forces, my people were demoralised from the traumatic experience which severely compromised our psyche, morale, and dignity. My forefathers — Oba Eweka II, Oba Akenzua II, and Oba Erediauwa worked tirelessly to restore the pride and identity of our people, pushing for a return of these artifacts. It would have been even more traumatic if these artifacts were successfully relooted.”
The Oba also extended appreciation to the Netherlands Government for returning the bronzes, to the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) for his collaboration with the royal court, and to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for restoring the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which is now to be transformed into the Benin Royal Museum.
“I thank the Government of the Netherlands for deeming it fit to return the 119 artifacts. I also commend the team that escorted the artifacts to Nigeria and to the Palace of the Oba of Benin. I thank the Edo State Governor, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his unflinching support and for restoring the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Center to the palace, which will now be converted to the Benin Royal Museum. I also thank the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, here present, who is the Federal Government’s representative, for working assiduously in line with the Federal Government’s directives and in close cooperation with the Royal Court of Benin as stated in the Management Agreement. The Royal Court of Benin is heavily indebted to the former President of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, whose administration ensured that the ownership of these artifacts was gazetted. His Excellency was not only a President but a true friend of the Royal Court of Benin.
“I appreciate the efforts of the Federal Government through the Director General of the NCMM for ensuring that efforts are made to bring back our looted Benin artifacts across the globe. I also thank the members of the Board of the Trustees of the Benin Royal Museum for their unwavering commitments. I thank my ancestors for standing by our efforts to bring these artifacts to the rightful place.”
With the bronzes now in secure storage under the Oba’s blessing, the monarch reaffirmed his resolve to ensure that all looted Benin artefacts across the globe find their way back home.
In his concluding words, he urged the NCMM to continue working closely with the palace and federal authorities to facilitate the return of all outstanding artefacts, reminding all present that this journey of restitution is far from over.
“All glory be to God Almighty, the great architect of the universe,” the Oba’s message concluded, marking a solemn yet triumphant close to a long-fought chapter in Nigeria’s cultural history.
Melissa Enoch
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