By Ikhili Ebalu Benin City
The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has called on the governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki to allow the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Ewuare II the full custody of the 1,130 Benin artifacts currently in the repatriation process from Europe as contrary attempts will only amount to sacrilegious deprivation of cultural Inheritance.
Ooni Ogunwusi who is the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, made the call on Saturday via a press statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The monarch appealed to the Governor whom he described as a true Benin blood who would never undermine culture and traditions of his globally respected kingdom to reconsider his plans already being viewed by the palace and people of Benin as a desecration of the Benin monarchy.
“It has come to the notice of the House of Oduduwa under the leadership of the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, that the much awaited repatriation of the artifacts looted from the Benin Kingdom in 1897 by the Europeans may be sabotaged with alleged attempts to divert the custody of the artifacts contrary to the expectations and interest of the palace and native people of Benin Kingdom”.
“Many indigenous African nations have agonized for centuries since when their cultural Inheritance; artifacts and antiquities were carted away against their wishes by the Europeans who had come to demonize these cultural Inheritances which they took to be treasured in their various countries.
“These artifacts belonged to our ancestors and our people. Benin artifacts must belong to the Benin people and the palace in particular under the leadership of king; Omo N’Oba N’Edo Ewuare II, Oba of Benin. Anything short of this is culturally unacceptable”. Ooni said.
The Ooni, Congratulated both governor Obaseki and Oba Ewuare II of Benin on the manifestation of the return of the looted artifacts to the Benin Kingdom during their time. He however urged them to collaborate in the larger Benin interest, assuring that their names shall remain indelible in the minds of current and unborn generations of the Benin people in Nigeria and globally.
“In Ile-Ife which is the seat of Oduduwa, our artifacts and antiquities are well kept in the palace and museum under the unquestionable authority and supervision of the Ooni of Ife with a very healthy government collaboration, that is the way it should be”. Ooni said.
As other reports have it that the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) under the co-chairmanship of Sultan of Sokoto and Ooni of Ife may wade into the matter for amicable resolutions between the Edo State government and the Benin monarchy as Oba Ewuare II was sighted in Kano last Saturday discussing with the Ooni, Sultan and his other colleague kings during the ceremony for the coronation of Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano, Ooni Ogunwusi was quoted in the press statement saying the entire Nigerian monarchy is interested in the matter.
Ile-Ife, Kano, Benin, Sokoto, Onitsha, Oyo, Calabar, Borno, Arochukwu and other kingdoms have their artifacts inherited through their ancestors, some of these artifacts were taken away some centuries ago by the Europeans who have started returning them to their respective original owners. Therefore, the Benin artifacts should be returned to the palace where they rightfully belong.
“The National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) will unequivocally reject in its entirety any plan that will be executed on the contrary for the heritage of Benin monarchy be respected by allowing the artifacts and antiquities being expected to be handed over to palace and people of Benin. This we believe very strongly the governor with do, for he is a great lover and respecter of culture and traditional institution.” Ooni concluded.