Netherlands Returns Looted Benin Artefact to Oba Ewuare II After 129 Years

The Netherlands has returned a Benin artefact to Oba Ewuare II, 129 years after the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom. The presentation took place at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City during activities marking the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary. Chief Lucky Imasue, chairman of the anniversary committee, said the object was handed over by Dutch Consul General Frank Keurnorst and Beatrice van Bormann of Museum De Fundatie. He said the return followed efforts to recover cultural objects taken from the Benin Kingdom and that more artefacts were expected. Imasue said the Federal Government, through the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, recognises that artefacts taken from the palace should be returned there. Oba Ewuare II thanked the Dutch government and people for the return and said Benin would continue to strengthen its cultural and historical ties with other countries.

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