By Milton Tella – The formal return of some of the historical artworks to Benin Kingdom signifies a breakthrough in the desire of Nigerians and, indeed, Africans to repossess African artworks currently domiciled outside their places of origin.
His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom officially handed over documents for the repossessed Benin artefacts from two British institutions to the Oba of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, on Monday, 13th December, 2021.
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola travelled to Nigeria for the formal hand over ceremony. While addressing the high powered eminent personalities led by the Oba of Benin and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero and representative of the Ooni of Ife; representative of the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.
Ambassador Isola said, “I am highly pleased and honoured to be present in Benin Kingdom today for a historic event in the annals of our history.
The indigenes of Benin Kingdom would recall that Nigeria took legal and physical possession of ‘Okukor’ – the Benin Cockerel Bronze at Jesus College, University of Cambridge, England, on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. The ceremony was globally acclaimed as an ethical and noble gesture on the part of the staff and students at Jesus College.
And, on Thursday, October 28, a Nigerian delegation formally repossessed the ancestral Benin Bronze head, ‘Uhunmwun Elao’, at an official ceremony in the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
These two events were of great significance and adjudged as great acts of nobility from England and Scotland, and indeed, the United Kingdom. Nigeria wishes to congratulate the staff and students of these great institutions for their virtuous actions. History will be eternally kind to them, particularly on the moral lessons of the giant strides they took.
As global discussions on these giant strides continue to refocus the imperatives of the return of other artefacts to their origins, Nigeria wishes to appeal for more emphasis on their return, than the circumstances leading to their removal from their origins. We also commend various authors, civil societies and media outlets on the sustained campaign for the return of Nigerian artefacts.
In 1897, when the Benin artefacts were taken away from Benin Kingdom, sovereignty was vested in Benin Kingdom under the leadership of the then Oba of Benin Kingdom, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. The same sovereignty was then vested in respective kingdoms and its respective traditional rulers. This explains why these artefacts are still being referred to as Benin Bronzes up to the present day.
Sovereignty is, however, currently vested in the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. Hence, the legal and physical repossession of the artefacts by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR – President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ambassador Isola said, “My presence in Benin Kingdom today is in fulfilment of the desire and expressed directive of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to RETURN THE REPOSSESSED ARTEFACTS TO WHERE THEY ORIGINALLY BELONGED.
The present administration places much emphasis on the return of Nigerian artefacts to their original home, Nigeria. Hence, the painstaking efforts of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture along with the tireless commitment of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to attain the presidential mandate.
At this juncture, it is pertinent to acknowledge the synergy of the Edo State Government along with the dogged determination of the Oba of Benin and the entire people of Benin Kingdom in their sustained campaign for the return of Benin bronzes. History will judge them aright in many instances.
Kabiyesi, Chiefs and the entire people of Benin Kingdom, the task ahead on our part is to ensure that these highly priced objects are preserved in accordance with global best practices. This would undoubtedly assist in the sustained campaign to return and repossess the remaining Benin artefacts, other Nigerian artefacts, and indeed, African artefacts domiciled across the globe currently.
I have the honour and privilege to legally transfer the two repossessed Benin artefacts namely: the Cockerel bronze statue ‘Okukor’ and an ancestral head statue ‘Uhunmwun Elao’ to the Oba of Benin Kingdom – His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, on behalf of Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR – President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In his remarks, Oba Ewaure II, said: “As our treasures are returned, our youths will be able to establish a new relationship with the heritage bequeathed by their forefathers. The return of all the treasures taken away will begin a new era of Benin history and civilisation.
International best practice and the rule of law dictates that restitution and compensation is the new discourse.
We ask that friendly countries seeking to return our artefacts should do so directly to the Oba of Benin or to the Federal Government, who will hold them in trust and return the same to the Palace of the Oba of Benin Kingdom, as was recently done in Cambridge and Aberdeen.”
Kindly follow us on twitter:@AfricanVoice2
