Netherlands returns looted Benin artefact 129 years after

L-R: Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Paulo Santos; Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie, in the Netherlands, Beatrice van Bormann and Consul General of the Netherlands, Frank Keurnors, during Oba of Benin coronation anniversary and presentation of artefacts

The Netherlands on Tuesday returned a Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after the invasion of the Benin Kingdom.

The presentation took place at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City as part of activities marking the traditional ruler’s 10th coronation anniversary.

Chief Lucky Imasue, Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee and former Deputy Governor of Edo, said the Netherlands had initiated the return of artefacts taken from Benin following the 1897 invasion.

Imasue said every Benin artefact belonged to the Oba of Benin, regardless of the quantity, adding that more artefacts were expected to be returned.

He said the artefact was presented by the Consul General of the Netherlands, Mr Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie, in the Netherlands.

He described the return on Oct. 20 as significant, coming exactly 10 years after Ewuare’s coronation and 129 years after many historical objects were looted from the Benin Kingdom.

Imasue recalled that the artefacts documented the majesty of the Oba and life in the kingdom, describing them as historical records kept in the palace before the invasion.

“Efforts to recover the artefacts date back to previous Obas, but gained momentum under Ewuare, whose diplomatic experience as a former ambassador helped advance the campaign,” he said.

According to him, the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, recognises that the artefacts were taken from the oba’s palace and should be returned there.

He thanked the government and people of the Netherlands for returning the artefact and choosing the oba’s coronation anniversary for the presentation.

• Tinubu celebrates Oba of Benin on 10th coronation anniversary
• Benin agog as Oba Ewuare II marks 10th coronation anniversary
• Edo targets return as Nigeria’s top rubber producer

The ceremony was also attended by the Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Paulo Santos.

In his anniversary address, Ewuare commended the Netherlands for returning the historical object after more than a century.

Ewuare also thanked the Portuguese ambassador and the Dutch consul general for attending the ceremony.

He disclosed plans to deepen cultural and historical relations with Portugal, recalling that the Holy Aruosa Church in Benin was established during the Portuguese era in the kingdom.

The traditional ruler explained that his forefathers had attempted to embrace Catholicism while retaining traditional beliefs, resulting in a church whose practices and regalia reflected Catholic influences.

“The Benin kingdom maintains its traditional spiritual portals of communication with Almighty God,” he said.

Ewuare recalled his experience as Nigeria’s Ambassador in Rome, where he learnt that the Vatican had begun recognising African traditional religions.

He commended Van Bormann for her commitment to the assignment involving the artefact and for achieving the set target.