As part of the activities marking the 10th coronation anniversary of the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akplorkpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, the returned stolen artefacts would be on display for public view.
The returned artefacts were part of the work of art stolen by the invading British soldiers who sacked the ancient Benin Kingdom in what is known in history as the Benin massacre of 1897.
Many of the museums in Europe where the stolen artefacts were kept have since returned some of them to the Benin monarch.
Addressing a press conference on the activities to mark the one-month-long celebrations, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, a former deputy governor of the state, said cultural troupes from the South-South/South East geopolitical zones would perform as part of the celebrations.
Imasuen said there would also be a concert that would showcase various musicians of Edo State origin including Shalipopi.”
According to him, “We are going to have a cultural display. Cultural groups from the 18 local government areas of Edo State will be here in Benin City. Beyond that we have some coming from Delta.
“We also have some coming from Ondo state, we have those coming from Anambra. We have the Yoruba community here, the Igbo community here, we have the Hausa community, they will be displaying their different cultural groups and talent on that day.
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“You know the Oba of Benin is not just the Oba for the Benin, he is the Oba for the entire people and I can say without fear of contradiction that the South-South, if not all, majority of the tribes here emanated from this great kingdom. So they are coming here to display their cultural talent.
“We will also have the Calabar Carnival which will take off at the boys scout ground near the Ogba Zoo and the procession will go through Airport Road to Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre.”
On the public display of artefacts, Imasuen said “there will be an exhibition of artefacts by NCMM, the National Commission on Museum and Monument.”
“Those artifacts that were stolen by the British invaders in 1897, carted away to England sold them to various countries in the world to both public and private collections but with the leadership of this great Oba, an effort started by his grandfather, passed over to his father and now to him, these artifacts are gradually making their way back home and in recognition of his effort, the former president and the federal government gazetted that this artifact upon return to Nigeria should be taken to the original location where they were stolen from. They will be displayed for the public.” He added.
The former Edo State deputy governor stated that there would be a musical concert and “We have our indigenous musicians who will be participating in this festival. We have Influence Akaba, Fabomo,Young Bolivia among others, and to crown it all, we have our son in whom we are well, pleased Shallipopi.”
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