The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has received two looted artifacts from the University of Iowa Museum in the United States of America.
The returning treasures, a mother hen, and a bronze plaque were among those plundered from the Benin palace when the British stormed it in 1897.
Receiving the objects in his palace on Monday, July 15, 2024, the Oba stated that the immediate past president of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari, made the ownership of antiques extremely plain in his recent gazette before leaving office.
The monarch, who was overjoyed at the return of the artifacts, mentioned some of the previous ones returned to the palace.
He stated that his forefathers initiated the process, but he was able to complete it when he ascended the throne.
The royal father stated that artifacts are more than just objects, as they have spiritual connotations that mere mortals cannot comprehend.
He further called on political leaders to assist in maintaining the traditions and customs of the country.
The Oba said“I must commend the immediate past president of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari who made the ownership of artifacts very clear through his recent gazette before he left office,"
“My forebears started the process of ensuring the artifacts are but I can accomplish the feat when I ascended the throne.
“The artifacts are not mere items, they have spiritual implications which the mere mortals cannot understand."
He appealed to the political leaders to help preserve the traditions and customs of the land.
