Oba of Benin takes delivery of looted ‘Okpa Elahor’ artefacts returned from UK

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, on Saturday received the returned bronze artefacts looted from the Benin kingdom.

The two artefacts returned, from Jesus college Cambridge UK and the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, were among the Ten Thousand wild theft of royal and sacred artworks stolen One hundred and fifty years ago and deposited in different parts of the world since the British naval expedition of 1897 and invasion of Benin kingdom.

President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Nigerian Ambassador to the British High Commissioner Sarafa Ishola Tunji, presented the artefacts to the Oba in an event held at the palace. He disclosed that he was directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to formerly and directly hand over the artefacts to the Oba.

The Ambassador who was elated, said the Nigerian government is happy that the presentation is happening in this era.
He further said, the Cockerel which is one of the monuments returned, is valued at £2,000000 while the other item, which is Oba’s head, is valued at £500,000.

“I am given just one assignment to do here by President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the assignment is very simple.

To directly hand over the artefacts to the Oba of great Benin Kingdom. This is the Presidential directive.

“I want to thank British Government for preserving the artefacts to still be in the same form they were when they were taken in 1897. Not only that, value has added to these artefacts.

As at today, the Cockerel is value at £2m at Great Britain and it is brought back here. Oba Head also value at £500,000 at Great Britain, and it is also brought back here. We are still working to make sure many of them come back home,” he said.

While receiving the artefacts, Oba Ewuare II, whose speech was delivered by Prince Aghatise Erediauwa, said that the artefacts are mostly of religious significance to the kingdom, he added that the two bronzes will return to where they rightly belong.

Dignitaries present at the event include Edo State Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo, who represented the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, the Director-General, National Commission for Museum and Monuments, Prof. Abba Tijjani and many others.