The Netherlands’ ambassador to Nigeria, Wouter Pomp, has been informed by the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, of the importance of the Presidential acknowledgement of ownership and an order giving the Oba of Benin custody and management of returned looted Benin antiques.
Remember that the Federal Republic of Nigeria put an end to the simmering dispute between the Oba and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, over who should be the custodian of the antiques in Notice No. 25 in an official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110 at pages A245-247, dated March 23, 2023.
In response to remarks made by the Dutch ambassador over the fate of the Benin bronzes, Oba Ewuare II stated that the future of the artefacts and bronzes from Benin is described in the gazette.
“The ongoing plans for the construction of Benin Royal Museum Project at the instance of the Nigerian government is on course. It is a federal government project and we have been on it for some time now.”
Addressing the Benin throne earlier, the Ambassador congratulated Oba Ewuare II for redirecting the course of history.
He pledged his government support in strengthening Nigeria in the area of employment and cultural diplomacy.
“We are very interested in all the history of the Benin Bronzes, some of which are still in the Netherlands. Contacts are underway between Netherlands Commission for Monuments and the Commission for Monuments of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“There has been meetings between the Commissions about the future of the Benin Bronzes,” Wouter added.
