Moses Omo-Ikirodah Salutes Oba Of Benin On Returned Artefacts, Hails Obaseki, FG 

Moses Omo-Ikirodah Salutes Oba Of Benin On Returned Artefacts, Hails Obaseki, FG

Moses Omo-Ikirodah on Tuesday hailed the return of precious artefacts looted by British emissaries more than 124 years ago, after a long campaign for their restitution.

The collection recovered from Britain includes a cockerel (Okpa) and Uhunwun Elao which was looted from the Royal Palace of the Oba of Benin.

The Edo State politician celebrated the recovered artefacts and thanked the Oba Of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II for the role he played towards this historical achievement.

Moses also expressed his appreciation to the Federal Government as well as the Edo State Governor, H.E Godwin Obaseki for their spirited efforts in making sure the artefacts returned to their original source safely.

“You can only truly appreciate a historical artefact in its historical context i.e. the place it was found., aside from the enormous potentials of a tourist trade it also serves as a huge source of revenue.

The return of these stolen artefacts would definitely birth a new era of Benin history and civilisation, these artefacts are part of our cultural history and national identity, it is very significant that our people are given the opportunity to see them and appreciate our culture and history.”

Calls have long been mounting in Africa for Western countries to return their colonial spoils, with many prized national treasures held abroad in museums or sometimes private collections.

Many people from an artefact’s country of origin never get to see them because they can’t afford to travel to a foreign museum.