Dukes (Enigies) from Benin Kingdom have commended the joint efforts of the federal government and the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, towards the Benin Royal Museum’ project, in line with the principle of common and shared responsibility for result.
This is contained in a statement by Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, on Sunday.
According to Iguobaro, at a meeting to review the progress so far, the Enogie of Iguogie Dukedom, HRH. Festus Osagiede, commended the level of progress made by stakeholders involved in the federal government-backed Benin Museum in Benin, where the artefacts and Bronzes will be kept.
Osagiede thanked the federal government and Oba Ewuare II for their determination and unwavering support in approvingly the Benin Royal Museum where all the repatriated Benin artefacts and Bronzes from Europe and other parts of the world, and other looted Benin works abroad that are yet-to-be returned, have started yielding visible fruits.
“We thank the federal government of Nigeria and the Oba of Benin for the great work that they are doing in the repatriation of the stolen Benin artefacts to the place of origin. We are fully in support of the Benin Royal Museum,” he said.
On their part, the Enogie of Ukhiri Dukedom, HRH. Aigbe Osayande, and his counterpart at Obadan Dukedom, both in Edo South Senatorial District of the state, HRH. Joseph Airhihenbuwa, pledged their loyalty to the Oba of Benin for being steadfast and prayed for continuous unity of Benin Kingdom.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria in Notice No. 25 in the official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023, laid to rest, the steaming controversy over custody of the repatriated artefacts and Bronzes that were looted by foreign invaders from Oba of Benin Palace in Benin Kingdom.
