Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that the returned Benin Bronze artefacts belong to the Oba of Benin’s Palace, insisting they are sacred cultural treasures that should never be politicised.
Okpebholo made the statement on Wednesday while receiving the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Olugbile Holloway, alongside the Consul General of Switzerland in Lagos, Conny Camenzind, officials of the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich and other members of the delegation at the Government House in Benin City.
The governor described the return of the Benin Bronzes as a historic milestone for the Benin Kingdom and commended the Swiss Government and other stakeholders for supporting the restitution process.
“This is a defining moment in our history. There is no point playing politics with what belongs to the palace,” Okpebholo said.
He stressed that the artefacts are more than historical objects, describing them as powerful cultural and spiritual symbols of the Benin Kingdom.
“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,” he added.
The governor maintained that the Benin Bronzes are part of the heritage of the Benin people and should remain under the custody of the traditional institution.
“We have only one Oba’s Palace in Edo State, and that is where they belong,” he said.
Reflecting on the history of the artefacts, Okpebholo said the British expedition to Benin was driven by the global recognition of the greatness of the Benin Empire, leading to the removal of priceless cultural treasures.
He thanked the Swiss Government for returning the artefacts, describing the gesture as one that would strengthen ties between both countries and earn lasting goodwill.
Earlier, NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway said the visit marked another significant step in the global campaign to recover looted Benin artefacts.
He noted that the commission was working closely with the Oba of Benin’s Palace to facilitate the return of more artefacts currently held in foreign museums.
Holloway disclosed that all the artefacts returned by Switzerland had arrived in Nigeria and were being kept in Lagos before their symbolic presentation to the Oba of Benin for traditional blessings.
Speaking on behalf of the Swiss Government, Consul General Conny Camenzind described the restitution as a major milestone in relations between Switzerland and Nigeria.
She expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between Switzerland, the NCMM and the museums involved, adding that the return of the Benin Bronzes marks the beginning of a stronger and enduring partnership between both countries.
