By Davidson Ogbebor

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has described the return of the Benin Bronzes as a historic milestone for the Benin Kingdom, maintaining that the priceless artefacts belong to the Oba of Benin’s Palace and should not become a subject of political controversy.

The governor stated this 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; the Director of the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich, Professor Dr. Alice Hertzog; Curator at the museum, Dr. Alex Malefakis; and other members of the delegation at Government House, Benin City.

Governor Okpebholo commended the Swiss Government, the NCMM and other stakeholders for their roles in facilitating the restitution of the artefacts, describing the development as a defining moment in the history of the Benin Kingdom.

“First of all, let me thank you for this moment because this is a defining history in our land. To me, there is no point in playing politics with what belongs to the palace.

“We have culture here. I believe in our culture. 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,” the governor said.

He stressed that the Benin Bronzes embody the rich cultural heritage and identity of the Benin people and should remain under the custody of the traditional institution.

“There is no point playing politics with them. They all belong to the Oba’s Palace. We have only one Oba’s Palace in Edo State,” he added.

Reflecting on the historical circumstances surrounding the removal of the artefacts, Governor Okpebholo noted that the British invasion of Benin was largely influenced by the global prominence and cultural achievements of the Benin Empire.

“The British that came here came for a reason. They heard something about the Benin Empire. That is why they came here. They found these things very interesting and took them out of this country to theirs.

“So now, I am happy that the Swiss Government has decided to say, ‘Yes, let’s return these back to the owners.’ I want to thank your government for taking this initiative in bringing these bronzes back to our palace,” he said.

The governor further remarked that although the restitution might appear modest, it carried profound historical and moral significance.

“It might look small to you, but the blessings ahead are huge,” he added.

Earlier, the Director-General of the NCMM, Olugbile Holloway, said the delegation’s visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration with the Edo State Government and marking another milestone in the international campaign for the restitution of Benin artefacts.

“As you are aware, with the topic of restitution and the return of the Benin Bronzes, Benin is ground zero when it comes to that aspect, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments is at the forefront of the battle for restitution,” Holloway said.

He disclosed that the commission was working closely with the Palace of the Oba of Benin to facilitate the return of more artefacts currently held in museums and private collections abroad.

“We are working with the Palace and His Royal Majesty to ensure that as many of these bronzes that found their way into foreign museums begin to come home,” he said.

Holloway also revealed that the delegation would proceed to the Oba’s Palace to symbolically present some of the returned artefacts to His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, for traditional blessings. He added that all the artefacts returned by Switzerland had already arrived in Nigeria and were currently in Lagos.

Speaking on behalf of the Swiss Government, Consul General Conny Camenzind described the restitution as a significant milestone in the growing relationship between Switzerland and Nigeria.

She expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between the Swiss authorities, the NCMM and the participating museums, noting that the successful restitution marked the beginning of a deeper partnership between both countries.

The meeting was attended by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, Esq.; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Musa Yakubu, JP; and other senior government officials.