By Osa Mbonu-Amadi
Cory Gundlach, a curator from the African Art, US Museum, on Monday, July 15, 2024, handed two artifacts, a mother hen and a bronze plaque, stolen from the ancient Benin Kingdom in 1897 to the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.
Gundlach, on behalf of other lecturers in the University of Iowa, apologised to the Oba of Benin for using the artefacts as teaching materials in the university, assuring the monarch of his determination to see that other stolen artefacts kept in other places are returned to Benin.
Oba Ewuare II thanked them and also commended former president Buhari for making the ownership of the looted artifacts clear which was mired in controversy. He said: “I must commend the immediate past president of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari who made the ownership of the artefacts very clear through his recent gazette before he left office.”
The Oba also recognised the efforts made by his predecessors in ensuring the ongoing restitution of the looted artefacts. “My forebears started the process of ensuring the artefacts are returned, and that I can accomplish the feat when I ascended the throne.”
He gave an insight to the spiritual essence of the artefacts. “The artefacts,” he said, “are not mere items, they have spiritual implications which mere mortals cannot understand.”
The Oba pleaded with political leaders to help in the preservation of the traditions and customs of the Benin.
