Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Wednesday described the return of the Benin Bronzes as a historic moment for the Benin Kingdom, insisting that the artefacts belong to the Oba of Benin’s Palace and should not be subjected to political controversy.
Okpebholo stated this while receiving the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway, the Consul General of Switzerland in Lagos, Conny Camenzind, and officials from the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich at the Government House in Benin City.
According to the governor, the Benin Bronzes are more than historical objects, describing them as symbols of the cultural and spiritual identity of the Benin Kingdom.
“There is no point playing politics with what belongs to the palace,” he said. “Those bronzes are not just bronze; they are symbolic and spiritual to our kingdom. Wherever they are, they will all find their way back to Nigeria, to Edo State.”
Okpebholo maintained that the returned artefacts should remain under the custody of the Oba of Benin, stressing that there is only one Oba’s Palace in Edo State.
He also commended the Swiss government and other stakeholders for facilitating the restitution process, describing the gesture as a significant contribution to preserving the cultural heritage of the Benin people.
Reflecting on the history of the artefacts, the governor said they were taken during the British invasion of the Benin Kingdom because of the empire’s rich cultural heritage.
“The British came here because they had heard about the greatness of the Benin Empire. They found these artefacts fascinating and took them away. Today, we appreciate the Swiss Government for taking the initiative to return them to their rightful owners,” he said.
Earlier, NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Edo State Government as efforts continue to secure the return of more Benin artefacts from museums around the world.
Holloway said the commission was working closely with the Oba of Benin’s Palace to ensure that more looted artefacts are repatriated.
“As you are aware, Benin is at the centre of the global conversation on restitution, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments is leading Nigeria’s efforts in that regard,” he said.
He disclosed that all the artefacts recently returned by Switzerland had arrived in Nigeria and were currently in Lagos, adding that members of the delegation would proceed to the Oba’s Palace for a symbolic presentation of some of the artefacts to the monarch for traditional blessings.
Speaking on behalf of the Swiss Government, Consul General Conny Camenzind described the restitution as a milestone in diplomatic and cultural relations between Switzerland and Nigeria.
She said Switzerland was proud to have partnered with the NCMM and other institutions in returning the artefacts, expressing confidence that the collaboration between both countries would continue to grow.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor, Head of Service Anthony Okungbowa, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kassim Afegbua, Chief of Staff Musa Yakubu, and other senior government officials.
