By Milton Tella – The return of some of the looted Benin artefacts by the two British institutions, Jesus College and and University of Aberdeen to Nigeria’s representative in the United Kingdom, His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola has ignited a series of historic conversation between Omo ‘N’ Oba N’edo, Ewuare 11 and the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo on Wednesday, 23 February, 2022.
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, a thoroughbred Egba High Chief who facilitated the visit of the royal fathers, said the visit was to further concretise the relationship between both kingdoms.
The Benin Kingdom Apex Monarch confirmed that Benin Soldiers, had been conquering places including Lagos, but had to beat a retreat in their attempt to storm Abeokuta because of the tough resistance of the hard fighting Egba Army and the “Okuta” (Rocky) physical terrain of the land while responding to Alake’s welcome address during his visit to Egbaland.
Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola who delivered the artefacts to the Omo ‘N’ Oba N’edo, Eburewa II, during his visit to the Oba’s palace in Benin on the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari to personally collect the Benin Artefacts looted away by the British troops from the then Sovereign State of Benin, in those years, and redelivered to Benin Kingdom.
Oba of Benin, while receiving the artefacts said, that the people of the Benin Kingdom shall forever remain grateful to President Muhammad Buhari for the gesture.
Omonoba Okpolopolo said, he was delighted to personally collect the Benin Artefacts taken away by the British from the then Sovereign State of Benin, over a century ago, and redelivered to him, in Benin adding that, this rekindled his undying interest in visiting the historical city of Abeokuta.
Ambassador Tunji Ishola facilitated the visit of Omo ‘N’ Oba N’edo, Eburewa II to Abeokuta after a telephone conversation between the Egba Apex Monarch.
Egba High Monarchs at the occasion, included Osile Oke-Ona; Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Agura of Gbagura; Oba Saburee Bakre, Olu Owode, Onijaye of Ijaye Titun, Onijale of Ijale-Papa, Olu Akinale and many other Egba Monarchs.
Egba Chiefs who were in attendance included; Egba Chiefs present were, Balogun of Egbaland; Chief Sikirullahi Atobatele, Osi of Egbaland; Chief Bode Mustapha, Lisa of Egbaland; Chief Oluyomi Olaogun, Baagbimo of Egbaland; Chief Akanni Akinwale, Akogun of Egbaland; Abraham Shoyoye, Bobaguwa of Egbaland; Chief Toye Okanlawon, Bantun of Egbaland; Chief Kehinde Sofenwa, Baamofin of Egbaland; Chief Sunday Odutan, Onimo-Ero of Egbaland; Chief Tokunbo Odebunmi, Baaroyin of Egbaland; Chief Layi Labode, and other Egba Chiefs.
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