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Benin Artefacts: I Won’t Fight Oba Of Benin – Obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki has opted to continue engaging the Oba of Benin concerning the awaiting repatriated artefacts.

Gatekeepers News reports that Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has opted to continue engaging the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11 over the return of the stolen artefacts.

Obaseki made this known in a statement issued by the secretary to the Edo state government, Osarodion Ogie on Monday.

The Governor also ordered his aides and associates not to engage in “disrespectful exchanges” with the Oba of Benin over the awaiting repatriated artefacts.

Gatekeepers News earlier reported that Oba Ewuare 11 in a press conference, rejected the return of stolen Benin artefacts to a private entity called Legacy Restoration Trust.

Legacy Restoration Trust is an organisation that is being promoted by the Edo State Government to receive and manage the age-long artefacts.

The artefacts which include thousands of bronze castings and other cultural artefacts were looted from the Palace of the Oba of Benin to Germany and United Kingdom in a period called the 1897 Benin invasion.

The Oba of Benin instead asked the federal government of Nigeria to take custody of the stolen artefacts after they are repatriated while other arrangements are being done for the return of the artefacts to the palace.

The Governor while responding to this through the State Secretary wrote, “The attention of the Edo State Government (EDSG) has been drawn to the widely publicised media statement issued by the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

“It is concerning that the statement appears to have created the impression that there is a major conflict between the interests of the EDSG and His Royal Majesty with regards to the laudable national milestone of having our highly valued artefacts returned home to Nigeria.

“The Government of Edo State and the Governor have always acted transparently and in consonance with existing Federal and State laws in all matters relating to the proposed return of the artefacts and monuments.

“The actions of the government thus far on this issue have been driven by selfless, patriotic considerations and in the best interest of Edo State and Edo people.”

Ogie in the statement assured the Oba that Obaseki has immense respect for him and the traditional institutions of Benin.

He wrote further, “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has displayed and will continue to display immense respect for our traditional institutions and therefore will continue to make effort to secure a private audience with His Royal Majesty to discuss his concerns.”

“The Governor has consequently ordered that on no account should anyone, whether in government or acting independently, engage in disrespectful exchanges and/or altercation with our revered Royal Majesty and the Benin Royal Palace.

“Governor Obaseki, meanwhile, expresses his gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other officials of the federal government for their patriotic and tireless efforts that have brought us to the verge of this eagerly anticipated achievement which has remained elusive for over a century.

“While thanking and congratulating the Federal Government, the President, the Minister, the Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin, and all stakeholders who have contributed to the successes so far recorded in this endeavor, the Governor assures that he will continue to work assiduously with all local and international stakeholders for the eventual and final return of these valued records of our great and glorious heritage back to Benin City for the benefit of ALL Edo people, Nigerians, and the black race.”

On Thursday, the federal government of Nigeria disclosed that German minister of state for culture, Monica Grutters, said Germany is ready to make a “substantial return” of the 1,130 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria from the beginning of 2022.

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