BY: Desmond Agbama CPS To Oba of Benin
His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of
Benin has welcomed the idea of the British Museum to collaborate with
the Palace of the Oba of Benin to develop a World Class Museum to
accommodate stolen artefact from Benin Kingdom.
The Benin Monarch who spoke when the Director of the British Museum,
Hartwig Fischer paid him a courtesy visit in the Palace said the
museum would not only be of benefit to Edo people, but to Nigerians
and tourists from all over the world.
The Oba of Benin reiterated the need to return the stolen artefact
from the various museums across the world, pointing out that the Benin
people are emotionally attached to it, even though it has been
speaking for Benin Kingdom wherever they are in the world.
His Royal Majesty told the Director of British Museum that the Palace
is reviving the bronze casting guild responsible for producing the art
works in order to keep it alive.
The Omo N’Oba commended the dialogue group for facilitating the visit
of the Director of the British Museum towards the return of Benin
artefact in British Museum, saying that he look forward to visiting
the British Museum.
On the forthcoming launching of “THE RED BOOK”, His Royal Majesty said
invitation would be extended to the Director of British Museum, the
British government and other private collectors of works of art across
the world, adding that Benin culture is far from being extinct as
erroneously believed by some historians, and academics in some part of
the globe.
Earlier, the Director of the British Museum, Hartwig Fischer told His
Royal Majesty that he was in the Palace to inquire into the
possibility of the British Museum offering assistance in terms of fund
raising and training of personnel for the proposed museum in the Oba
Palace, Benin City.
Mr. Fischer also expressed the desire of the British Museum to offer
assistance to the Oba Ewuare II Foundation, pointing out that they
want to interphase with other museums in the world and be the driving
force to the realization of these noble ideas.
The Director of the British Museum also indicated interest to support
“THE RED BOOK, The Benin Monarch: An Anthology of Benin History” in
any way they can.