…Oba Ewuare II to reestablish ties with Portugal
By Ozioruva Aliu
The Netherlands, Tuesday, returned a Benin artefact to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after the invasion of the Benin Kingdom.
The presentation took place at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City as part of activities marking the traditional ruler’s 10th coronation anniversary.
Meanwhile, as part of activities marking his 10th year coronation anniversary, the Oba of Benin has promised to re-establish ties with Portugal, which was the first European country to come into the kingdom.
Chairman of the 10th Coronation Anniversary Committee and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasue, said The Netherlands had initiated the return of artefacts taken from Benin following the 1897 invasion.
Imasue said every Benin artefact belonged to the Oba of Benin, regardless of the quantity, adding that more artefacts were expected to be returned.
He said the artefact was presented by the Consul General of the Netherlands, Mr. Frank Keurnorst, alongside Beatrice van Bormann, Executive Director of Museum De Fundatie, in the Netherlands.
He described the return on October 20, as significant, coming exactly 10 years after Ewuare’s coronation and 129 years after many historical objects were looted from the Benin Kingdom.
Imasue recalled that the artefacts documented the majesty of the Oba and life in the kingdom, describing them as historical records kept in the palace before the invasion.
“Efforts to recover the artefacts date back to previous Obas, but gained momentum under Ewuare, whose diplomatic experience as a former ambassador helped advance the campaign,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, recognises that the artefacts were taken from the Oba’s palace and should be returned there.
He thanked the government and people of the Netherlands for returning the artefact and choosing the Oba’s coronation anniversary for the presentation.
Oba Ewuare II to reestablish ties with Portugal
In his anniversary address, Oba Ewuare II commended Ambassador Santos and the Consul General of Portugal for attending, describing their presence as fortuitous.
“We have a very unique link with the Portuguese. When I was told that the Portuguese Ambassador was around, it was like telepathy, because I had been thinking already about Portugal,” Oba Ewuare II said.
He recalled that the Holy Aruosa Church in Benin was established during the Portuguese era when his forefathers attempted to adopt the Catholic faith but retained traditional beliefs.
He explained that the church’s practices and regalia were modelled along Catholic lines, while the kingdom maintained its traditional spiritual portals of communication with God Almighty.
The monarch recalled his experience as Nigeria’s Ambassador in Rome, where he was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Vatican had started recognising African traditional religions.
The Oba said one of his sons is an admirer of Portuguese football star, Cristiano Ronaldo, and commended Beatriz for taking an assignment to heart and succeeding.
He said his late mother’s (Iyeoba) teachings urging him not to embarrass or bring shame to her, and to pray to God to protect him from worldly temptations contributed to who he is today.
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