Oba Of Benin has rejected the proposed legacy restoration trust as custodian of Benin artefacts.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11 has rejected the return of stolen Benin artefacts to a private entity called Legacy Restoration Trust.
The Legacy Restoration Trust is a private vehicle that is being promoted by the Edo State Government to receive and manage the age-long artefacts stolen from the Palace of the Oba of Benin in 1897.
This was disclosed in a world press conference addressed by the Oba in his Palace grounds on Friday.
The Oba of Benin noted that the advocacy and demands for the return of the artefacts looted from the Benin Kingdom in 1897 have been going on for decades before the emergence of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
He, therefore, applauded the Governor for joining the struggle and showing commitment to retrieve the stolen cultural heritage from Europe.
Oba Ewuare 11 said, “While anticipating the return of the looted artifacts from Europe, I want to note that attempts to divert the destination or the right of custody of the artifacts is not in the interest of the people of Benin Kingdom to whom the Palace of the Oba of Benin provides leadership.
“The looted artifacts awaiting repatriation from Europe are the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom created by our ancestors and forefathers within the traditional norms and rites of the kingdom.”
The Oba stressed that the artefacts, “are not property of the state government or any private corporate entity that is not a creation of the Benin kingdom.”
He, therefore, noted that “the right and only legitimate destination for the artifacts to be repatriated as already pronounced by my father is under the aegis of the Benin Royal Museum that will be sited within the precinct of the Palace of the Oba of Benin from where they were looted, and also, the proper traditional institution that is also the custodian of all the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom.
According to him, “The Palace, therefore, strongly advises that anyone, group, organisation, or government – national and international that is dealing with any organisation or artificial group in the process of returning the looted artefacts from the Benin Kingdom would be doing so at their own risk and against the will of the people of the Benin Kingdom.”
Oba Ewuare 11 emphasised that “There is no alternative native authority and custodian of the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom outside the Oba of Benin as constituted by the Royal Palace.”
He further stated that “I do not believe that the move by a privately registered company, the Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd. and the purported establishment of Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA) are in consonance with the wishes of the people of Benin Kingdom.”
The Oba noted that shortly after his ascension to the throne he had several discussions with the Governor on the plan for the Benin Royal Museum and he (Obaseki) expressed his readiness to work with the Palace to actualise this laudable wish of his father.
He added that efforts have already been in place for this purpose, “I made efforts and acquired additional plots of land from different families within the Adesogbe area near the present day palace for this purpose.”
The Monarch expressed shock at the Governor’s decision to hand it over to the private sector, “I was however surprised to read from the Governor’s letter to the Palace where reference was being made to the fact that a new Museum to be known as EMOWAA is now being proposed, which will be funded and executed through the vehicle of another body now referred to as Legacy Restoration Trust.
“When Governor Godwin Obaseki informed me in his correspondence of another implementation framework using the so-called Legacy Restoration Trust and the Edo Museum of West Africa Arts (EMOWAA), my response was that the setting up of another organisation or legal entity in whatever form or guise will not be necessary nor acceptable.”
“I informed him that Oba Ewuare II Foundation has been registered with the CAC and has worked out a framework for not only receiving the artefacts but also building a modern structure – The Benin Royal Museum – within the precincts of the Palace and that land has been secured for the building of the Benin Royal Museum under the supervision of the traditional institution. But for reasons best known to him the Governor has gone against the understanding, given recent events.
“As a matter of fact, the people of Benin kingdom and other stakeholders especially Benin Dialogue Group, had at different meetings endorsed the Benin Royal Museum to be built within the Palace, as well as endorsing the Oba Ewuare II Foundation for fundraising and other requisite administration processes.”
The Palace, therefore, called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take custody of these artefacts on behalf of the Palace until the Benin Royal Museum is ready for their collection, stressing that “under no circumstances should custody of our age old artefacts be handed to any privately contrived entity like the Legacy Restoration Trust.”
Oba Ewuare II said he has spoken with the Minister for information and culture, Lai Mohammed who is presently in Germany over the negotiation with the German Government over the plans for the repatriation of our artifacts.
The Oba stated that Mohammed assured him that the “Federal government remain committed to get unconditional return of our artifacts and will guarantee its full custody for their onward transmission to Benin kingdom to the exclusion of any unauthorized private entities or third parties,” and therefore appreciated the federal government of Nigeria for this commitment.
The King further said, “It now behoves the Federal Government to be the only level of government that can take custody of the artefacts with a view to transferring them to their original owner and their original place of abode, more so that there exist international treaties and laws guiding these processes.
“The Palace of the Oba of Benin wishes to advise His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State to review his approach of using the private vehicle of the Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd and the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) and to see how he can genuinely collaborate with the Oba Palace in accordance with our original understanding. We thank the German Government for their interest and willingness to return the Benin artifacts.
“We pray to God and our ancestors for a fruitful resolution of this issue.”
