BENIN ARTEFACTS – MY CANDID OPINION
I have been watching with very keen interest the disagreement between the highly respected Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare and the very respected Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, who should retain custody of the expected Benin artefacts. Please note for those of us who did not attend history classes in school, the Benin artefacts were said to have been looted by various European people around 1897 and have been on display in various European museums since then. After decades of discussions, the German authorities have finally announced that the artefacts would be returned to Benin from 2022 and na that one come start fight between our people. If we don’t fight we are not Nigerians. So Oba Ewuare has stated that he wants to build a Royal Museum within the confines of his palace for the artefacts. I have been in that palace during my Play Emotan, and there is space there. If you drive in and turn right, you will see one big field where boys will play football. That land can house artefacts. But my brother Obaseki say no. He has better plans. He wants to build a separate institution outside of the palace to house the artefacts for so many reasons, I no get time to mention here. Oba Ewuare has written to the Federal Government not to allow Obaseki take custody before he sell them use pay minimum wage while Obaseki has also stated in very strong terms that he needs the Artefacts or his second term will be of no consequence. But Obaseki did one marvellous thing. Showing his deep respect for the traditional stool and the person of His Oba, he has released a statement saying that he will not join words with the Oba and admonished his people never to try to ‘yab’ the Oba because if they do anything they see is for them and their family o. Well, I have said a lot about this issue in past writings. I am a well-regarded historian if I must before some of you will start asking wetin concern me or if this is afang. If you go check my WAEC results, you will see that History was A -please wait, let me confirm before una come do me Kemi Adeosun. Well, the issue here is very simple. Where we keep the artefacts is not my problem, but what we intend to achieve with them should be the real issue. For me, the whole thing is looking like an ego-driven campaign that will not augur well for the Benin people and their heritage. The artefacts are not just to be kept so that every morning someone will wake up and go and pour libation or be taking a picture or be using it as part of achievement in government. Both sides, to me, are not getting it. Those artefacts are the glory of the people, their culture, their heritage and their traditions. The artefacts should tour the world. They should be seen by millions all over the world. They should generate revenues that would be used to strengthen the traditional institutions at home and shore up dwindling Government revenues while boosting both inbound and local tourism. We never get these things. Keeping them in Benin, whether inside the Benin moat or in the backyard of Government House in my mind’s eye, will not generate the needed attention it requires. Have you gone to the Nigerian Museum at Onikan recently? You will cry. Up until recently, they used to use the place to host Owambe party at weekends and also used as a car park during the week. Cobwebs have invaded the artefacts, and the place just looks tacky. I think both sides should come together and put heads together to fashion out a much more concise approach to this very simple matter. For me, the artefacts should tour the world while the revenues and attention it generates should be better milked and maximized by both sides. There is nothing they are coming to do in Benin. Wey the road sef to drive to see them if kidnappers and bandits go even let you reach the place? I just tire.