Okpebholo welcomes return of Benin Bronzes to Oba’s palace

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has hailed the return of Benin Bronzes from Switzerland, describing the restitution as a "historic milestone" and asserting that the artefacts rightfully belong to the Oba of Benin's Palace.

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First of all, let me thank you for this moment because this is a defining history in our land. To me, there is no point in playing politics with what belongs to the palace.

Okpebholo made these remarks while receiving a delegation including the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, and Swiss officials at the Government House in Benin City. He expressed gratitude to the Swiss Government and other stakeholders for their role in facilitating the return, emphasizing that the Benin Bronzes are more than mere objects. "To me, there is no point in playing politics with what belongs to the palace," he stated, adding that the bronzes are "symbolic and spiritual to our kingdom."

The governor stressed that the artefacts are intrinsically linked to the history, culture, and spirituality of the Benin Kingdom. "Wherever they are, they will all find their way back to Nigeria to Edo State," he declared. He reiterated that the bronzes belong to the Oba's Palace, stating, "We have only one Oba Palace in Edo State."

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We have culture here. I believe in our culture. Those bronzes are not just bronze; they are symbolic and spiritual to our kingdom. Wherever they are, they will all find their way back to Nigeria to Edo State.

Reflecting on the 1897 British invasion, during which thousands of Benin artworks were looted, Okpebholo noted the historical significance of their return. "So now, I am happy that the Swiss Government has decided to say, ‘Yes, let’s return these back to the owners,'" he said, thanking them for their initiative.

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There is no point playing politics with them. They all belong to the Oba’s Palace. We have only one Oba Palace in Edo State.

Earlier, Holloway highlighted the ongoing collaboration between the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the Edo State Government, and the Oba of Benin in securing the restitution of looted artefacts. He positioned Benin as "ground zero" in the global conversation about the return of such cultural heritage.

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The British that came here came for a reason. They heard something about the Benin Empire. That is why they came here. They found these things very interesting and took them out of this country to theirs.