What Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II told the German ambassador and delegates yesterday in the Oba Palace, Benin-city, was a true story. Nothing planned, written, or rehearsed. He simply told them why he agreed with the protesters, who had a day earlier opposed the opening of MOWAA in Benin city. Finally, we all got an explanation that reconciled with the actions of the previous Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Oba Ewuare II informed the German ambassador that the MOWAA protest was not their fault and soundly included that they would be welcomed back for a happier visit. The Germans had believed that they had the backing of Benin Kingdom because Edo State’s ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki had co-opted his son, Prince Ezelekhae Ewuare into all the meetings and negotiations in Germany. Hence they agreed to deal with him on building a museum in Benin-city.
The truth is the ex- Governor Godwin Obaseki kept him, Oba Ewuare II, in the dark all along because he refused to sign documents of cooperation with the Legacy Restoration Trust on the return of Benin artefacts which the Governor had presented to him. The ex-Governor also reneged on his public promise to build a Benin Royal Museum to house the returned Benin artefacts which has also been the wish of the Oba’s father and grandfather for Benin. The “E” standing for “EDO” from the original documented name was removed and EMOWAA became MOWAA, all because of the Governor’s anger at the Kingdom.
The British and German officials, as well as other Europeans, embraced the Trust in part because they believed it and the Oba were working together.
Yesterday, for the first time there was no middleman between Oba Ewuare II and the German decision makers. Oba Ewuare II informed them that when the Benin artefacts were gazetted to the Benin Kingdom by late President Buhari the ex-Governor’s anger towards the Benin Kingdom increased.
I am sure the Germans are shocked about how much they allowed themselves to be convinced by ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki. I also believe the situation will be resolved amicably because the Europeans delegates are now talking directly with Oba Ewuare II, thanks to the assistance of the current Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
In July 2021, more than four years ago, BBC News published an article describing the exact issue that Oba Ewuare II related to the German ambassador today. The BBC headline is titled “Benin Bronzes- Nigeria dispute jeopardises return of artefacts” (please google it). I have put some extracts below.
Oba, of Benin, Ewuare II, summoned “all well-meaning people” to an emergency meeting and warned of an attempt by what he called an “artificial group” to “divert” the return of the Bronzes. This group, the Legacy Restoration Trust (LRT) had the support of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and had planned to put the Bronzes in an Edo Museum of Western African Art (EMOWAA).
The Oba made his opposition clear. “The right and only legitimate destination” for the Bronzes would be a “Benin Royal Museum”, he said, sited within his palace grounds. He insisted that the Bronzes had to come back to where they were taken from, and that he was “the custodian of all the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom”.
The Oba’s argument is compelling, but awkwardly, his son and designated heir, crown prince Ezelekhae Ewuare, attends the board meetings of the LRT he professes to know nothing about. So does Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, representing the federal government.
Governor Obaseki has convinced a celebrated architect, Sir David Adjaye, to design the new museum, bringing prestige and a wave of positive international publicity to the project. Although the Oba now warns anybody dealing with the LRT they do so “at their own risk and against the will of the people of the Benin Kingdom”, he must worry that it is already too late.
The British Museum has signed a deal with the LRT for an archaeology project in Benin City. The German government is discussing doing the same, and funding an LRT building to initially house returned Bronzes. These contracts are worth millions of dollars. British and German officials, as well as other Europeans, embraced the Trust in part because they believed it and the Oba were working together.
The Editor