Simon Ebegbulem
13 October 2008
GOVERNOR Oserheimen Osunbor of Edo State has called for the repatriation of the stolen Benin Artifacts, currently located at the various museums in Europe and America.
He recommended strongly that "If these artifacts cannot be repatriated for whatever reasons, the British Government can consider putting some thing back in their place by assisting our development effort especially in the arts, culture and tourism."
The Governor made this declaration at the launching of the book, Oba Ovonramwen N'Ogbaisi in Calabar 1897-1914: The Untold Story, held at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Complex, Benin City.
It would be recalled that a socio-cultural organization, the Benin National Congress (BNC) had been at the fore front of the struggle for the repatriation of the missing artifacts and had presented the matter before the Federal House of Representatives through the member representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the state, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon.
However, Governor Osunbor who challenged indigenes of the state to document the authentic historical and cultural experiences of their clans and communities, regretted that the "unjustified British invasion using their military might disrupted not only the well established administrative system of Benin Kingdom that was in place, our treasured and valuable art works were also carted away to Britain. Unfortunately, the European historians in their attempt to justify the needless aggression have also distorted the account of the events that took place in 1897."
The Governor added however, that the state government would continue to give cultural development the much desired boost through cultural festivals and exhibitions. " Research and documentation as well as plays on historical and cultural events will also be encouraged.
It is the intention of government to use these means to educate our younger generation on the cultural heritage of Edo state so as to ensure that our history and culture are not lost at any point in our development due to lack of relevant information".
He congratulated the publisher of the book, saying that one of the objectives of the book was to give a correct historical account of the invasion and the life of Oba Ovonramwen.
Those at the book launch included the former Director General of the Nigeria Television Auhtority, Dr Tony Iredia, Senator Odion Ugbesia, the Enogie of Obazuwa, Prince Edun Akenzua who represented the Oba, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, His Royal Highness Alh. W.O.Momodu 11, Prince Patrick Oronsanye.
Others are Dr Godwin Ogboghodo, Prince G.I.Akenzua and members of the Edo state Executive Council.
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