The Netherlands has returned a Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after the invasion and looting of the Benin Kingdom in 1897.
The artefact was formally presented at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City on October 20 as part of activities marking the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary.
Meanwhile, Oba Ewuare II has expressed his desire to re-establish historical ties with Portugal, the first European country to establish contact with the Benin Kingdom.
Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasue, said the Netherlands had taken the lead in efforts to return artefacts removed from Benin following the 1897 invasion.
Imasue maintained that Benin artefacts belonged to the Oba, regardless of their number, adding that more items were expected to be returned.
He said the artefact was presented by the Consul General of the Netherlands, Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie in the Netherlands.
Describing the return as significant, Imasue noted that it came 129 years after the looting of historical objects from the kingdom and coincided with activities marking the Oba’s 10th coronation anniversary.
He explained that the artefacts documented the majesty of the Oba and the life of the Benin Kingdom, describing them as historical records that were kept in the palace before the invasion.
“Efforts to recover the artefacts date back to previous Obas, but gained momentum under Ewuare, whose diplomatic experience as a former ambassador helped advance the campaign,” he said.
According to Imasue, 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 expressed appreciation to the government and people of the Netherlands for returning the artefact and choosing the monarch’s coronation anniversary for the presentation.
Oba Ewuare II seeks to re-establish ties with Portugal
In his anniversary address, Oba Ewuare II welcomed the presence of Portugal’s ambassador, identified as Ambassador Santos, and the country’s consul general, describing their attendance as timely.
“We have a very unique link with the Portuguese. When I was told that the Portuguese Ambassador was around, it was like telepathy, because I had been thinking already about Portugal,” the monarch said.
He recalled that the Holy Aruosa Church in Benin was established during the Portuguese era, when his forefathers sought to embrace Catholicism while retaining their traditional beliefs.
According to the Oba, the church’s practices and regalia were modelled on Catholic traditions, while the kingdom maintained its indigenous spiritual practices and means of communicating with God Almighty.
The monarch also recalled his time as Nigeria’s ambassador in Rome, saying he was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Vatican had begun recognising African traditional religions.
He further mentioned that one of his sons admired Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo and commended Beatriz for her dedication to an assignment she had undertaken.
Reflecting on his life and reign, the Oba attributed part of his personal development to the teachings of his late mother, the Iye Oba, who urged him to avoid bringing shame upon himself and to pray for divine protection against worldly temptations.
