There have been increasing calls on foreign governments to return looted artefacts to Nigeria. More than 145 objects made in Benin in the 13th-century comprising brass plaques, bronze figures, carved ivory tusks, musical instruments, weaving equipment, jewellery as well as ceramic and coral objects are still sitting in museums and private collections in Europe. Despite the challenges in securing the looted Benin artefacts, the Nigerian government celebrated when the deed of transfer for two looted artefacts was signed in Benin, Edo State.
The palace of the Oba of Benin was agog following the return of the two bronze artefacts from the United Kingdom.
Residents and well-wishers thronged the palace to celebrate with the monarch as he signed the Deed of Transfer of the artefacts.
The artefacts were looted from the palace in 1897 during the British invasion of the kingdom; hence the ceremony was historic and important to an average Benin man.
The Jesus College of the University of Cambridge and Aberdeen University had returned Benin bronzes to Nigeria, an action that made other countries, including Germany, to return such loot.
The artefacts have helped in propagating the Benin Kingdom, bringing the people to international limelight. They represent the culture, tradition and identity of the people.
The Guardian in the United Kingdom had reported that the University of Oxford was holding 145 objects looted by British troops during the invasion. While quoting an interim report by Dan Hicks, a curator at the university’s Pitt Rivers Museum, the newspaper stated that more than two-third of the plundered items were owned by the university while 45 were on loan. The items, made in the 13th century, included brass plaques, bronze figures, carved ivory tusks, musical instruments, weaving equipment, jewellery and ceramic, as well as coral objects.
The two repossessed bronze artefacts are a cockerel, “Okpa” and an ancestral head, “Uhunwun Elao” from Jesus College, Cambridge, England and University of Aberdeen, Scotland, respectively.
The return of the artefacts had led to controversy on whose responsibility it is to take possession and keep them. The state government, which is also championing the return, wanted the returned artefacts to be kept in its custody, while the Benin monarch wanted the items to be returned to the palace. But this was put aside as Nigerians celebrate the historical moment as the monarch signed the Deed of Transfer.
Various traditional dance troupes were on hand to add glamour and splendour to the long awaited event, which an average Benin person described as one in a lifetime.
The dance troupes are the Benin Royal, Bronze City Royal Performance, Ediendo Theatre, Omosigho Cultural Group, Edoyemwen Theater Troupe and Oghogho Theater Troupe.
Traditional rulers across the country, such as the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, representative of the Oni of Ife, among others, also added glamour to the occasion.
Also, priests and priestesses, youth groups and women etc, were on hand to pay homage to the monarch in a traditional way.
During the event, President Muhammadu Buhari said, “Our part is to ensure that these objects are preserved in accordance with global best practices.”
He said safekeeping the objects would help in recovering the remaining artefacts domiciled across the globe.
“I have the privilege to legally transfer the two repossessed Benin artefacts to the Oba of Benin, on behalf of the president. We are also doing the legal transfer,” he said.
Represented by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Tunde Isola, he said the return of the artefacts to the Benin Kingdom signified a breakthrough in the desire of Nigeria and Africa to repossess African artwork currently domiciled abroad.
The president advised that more emphasis should be placed on the return of artefacts rather than the circumstances that led to their removal, as the push for the return of more continues.
“My presence in the Benin Kingdom today is in fulfillment of the directive of President Buhari to return the artefacts to where they originally belong,” Isola said.
He said that before the artefacts were taken away from Benin Kingdom in 1897, the people’s sovereignty was under the leadership of the then Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi; hence the objects are referred to as Benin bronze. He, however, added that under the Nigerian constitution, sovereignty is vested in President Buhari, who now transferred the safekeeping of the artefacts to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
Oba Ewuare said the return of the artefacts, which coincided with his coronation and birthday anniversary, signified a new era in Benin history and civilisation.
He said the artefacts would not be kept away from public view as the place is already collaborating with the federal government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), to build the Benin Royal Museum to house returned artworks that would be opened to tourists, researchers, among others.
He said countries seeking to return other artefacts should deal directly with the Oba of Benin or the federal government, which will hold them in trust and return same to the palace.
He also appealed for financial assistance through a specialised grant to set up small and medium scale enterprises in Benin, including training in information communication technology to support active engagement of youths.
He added that the support would help him in minimising illegal trafficking to Europe and elsewhere, adding that human development is the best way the kingdom could be compensated for events of the past.
He said the palace was ready to partner with the appropriate authorities in Europe and other parts of the world in creating development programmes for the teeming youths in the state and Nigeria in large.
Oba Ewuare II said he had redeemed his pledge during his coronation, to expedite the return of artefacts to their original abode.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, civil society organisations and other persons involved in the process of retrieving the artworks.
Also speaking, a resident simply identified as Ineh, said the returned artefacts were a symbol of victory the kingdom didn’t get during the invasion of 1897.
“The artefacts tell us about African culture. Each of these artworks is a bit of writing that tells the history and culture of the Binis.
“All the artworks were produced through royal commission and command by the Oba of Benin. So, all the looted artefacts belong to the palace of the Oba of Benin,” he said.
A Benin resident, Desmond Agbama, said the return of the looted artefacts was very gratifying to the throne and the entire Benin Kingdom, and prayed that more of them would be returned to the palace.
He said the artefacts reminded the people of the glorious past of their forefathers.
Also speaking, the curator, National Commission for Museum and Monument, Benin, Umogbai, said the returned artefacts would benefit Edo State and Nigeria.
“These artefacts are a source of attraction for tourists. When foreign tourists visit a country, they empower the people in one way or another.
“It will add to the country’s gross domestic product as people will buy souvenirs; hotels and cab services will benefit as well. So the economy will improve generally,” he said.
