The Edo State has vested all repatriated Benin artefacts and Benin bronze works that were looted away from the Benin Royal Palace by British invaders during the 1897 expedition, in Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, eroding the infamous and indecisive stance by previous administration.
This followed the Federal Republic of Nigeria Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247 issued on March 23rd, 2023, which recognized ownership and vested Custody and Management of repatriated Benin Artefacts in the Oba of Benin.
In his inaugural speech on Tuesday in Benin City, Governor Monday Okpebholo, pledged his administration necessary support for traditional institutions to
play their roles as custodians of their peoples heritage.
According to him, “Our traditional institutions shall be given the necessary support to play their roles as custodian of our rich cultural heritage. It’s in recognition of this that my administration shall support the decision of the federal government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Artefacts that were looted away the British colonial Forces during the Benin massacre in 1987”.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima and Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin, represented by Chief Oghafua Oyeoba, the Oyeoba of Benin and Chief Igiemwin George Ekhator, the Obasogie of Benin and other prominent Nigerians, including politicians attended the event.
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