The Netherlands has returned a Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after British forces invaded the Benin Kingdom in 1897. The presentation took place on October 20 at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City, Edo State, during activities marking his 10th coronation anniversary.
Chief Lucky Imasue, chairman of the coronation anniversary committee and former Edo State deputy governor, said the Netherlands initiated the return of artefacts taken from the kingdom during the invasion. He expressed hope that more historical objects would be returned in the coming years.
Imasue said the artefact was presented by the Netherlands’ Consul General, Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, executive director of Museum De Fundatie in the Netherlands. He described the return as significant because it coincided with the Oba’s 10th coronation anniversary, exactly 129 years after the looting.
According to Imasue, the artefacts document the history, traditions and grandeur of the Benin Kingdom. He said efforts to recover the objects began under previous Obas but gained momentum under Ewuare II, whose diplomatic experience as a former ambassador helped advance the campaign.
He added that 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. Imasue thanked the Dutch government and its people for the restitution and for choosing the anniversary as the occasion for the presentation.
During the ceremony, Ewuare II commended the Netherlands for returning the artefact and thanked the Dutch consul general and Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Santos, for attending the event. He also expressed interest in strengthening cultural and historical relations with Portugal, recalling the influence of Portuguese contact on the establishment of the Holy Aruosa Church in Benin.
The Oba explained that his forefathers had sought to embrace Catholicism while preserving their traditional beliefs, resulting in a church whose practices and regalia reflected Catholic influences. He maintained that the Benin Kingdom continues to uphold its traditional spiritual practices and praised van Bormann for her commitment to facilitating the artefact’s return.
