The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has notified the Netherlands about the federal government’s gazette recognising and vesting custody and managing repatriated looted Benin artefacts in him.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Benin by Iguobaro Osaigbovo, a media aide to Ewuare II.

The Benin monarch notified the Netherlands ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Pomp, of the significance of the gazette and presidential declaration when the diplomat paid a courtesy visit to the palace.

He explained that the future of the Benin Bronzes and artefacts were in the gazette, adding that the ownership, custody and management of the artefacts were clearly spelt out, stressing that they “are vested in the Oba as an institution.”

The Benin monarch added, “That is the law.”

According to him, the ongoing plans for constructing the Benin Royal Museum at the instance of the Nigerian government are on course.

The federal government, in notice number 25, in the official gazette, number 57, Volume 110, pages A245 to 247, dated March 23, 2023, the palace of the Oba of Benin and not Governor Godwin Obaseki should be the custodian of the artefacts.

Mr Pomp congratulated the monarch for redirecting the course of history and pledged Netherlands’ support in strengthening Nigeria in employment, migration and cultural diplomacy.

“We are very interested in all the history of the Benin Bronzes, some of which, as you are aware, are still in the Netherlands,” stated the Dutch ambassadors. “Contacts are underway between the Netherlands Commission for Monuments and the Commission for Monuments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He added, “There have been meetings between the commissions about the future of the Benin Bronzes.”

(NAN)