By Ayodele Oni
A socio cultural organization in Edo state, Coalition of Benin Youths, has kicked against attempts to divert some of the recovered looted artefacts to any other place other than the Oba of Benin’s palace.
The group, in a statement in Benin city on Tuesday, alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki is surreptitiously conniving with the National Commission for Museum to move the recovered artefacts to the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The statement, signed by Mr Osarhon Gideon, Coordinator of the group, stated that recovered artefacts in the past were returned to the Oba of Benin Palace where they were hitherto looted by British traders.
“They have agreed to return back what they took forcefully from where it was taken (Oba Palace), and some elements in the name of Government, are trying to make dollars and euros from this by trying to use the Federal Government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to divert our artefacts.
“We, the Benin youths, reject in totality any act of wanting to be smart by Edo State Government headed by Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to reintroduce the invasion of the Benin Kingdom for the second time.
“We are known for peace and wish to maintain peace, but wish that the good people of Benin Kingdom are not taking for granted, and not be forced on a war path.”
The youth group accused the present administration of failure to reconstruct the burnt Benin market, which they described as part of the ancient city cultural monument.
“We wish to remind Edo State Government that Oba market had since been razed down by fire for over two and half years. The market is part of our history, not even a block has been laid on the market site, same goes with our own Urokpota Hall, which today Edo State Government has now turned to Motor Park.
“Till date, nothing was done, our history is going down in the face of Edo State Government, but because of the assumed Dollars and Euros to be benefited from the return of the artefacts, they have suddenly become cultural and tourism friendly.”
It advised the State Government not to politicize the issue and as well, leave out the sacred palace of Benin monarch from any move to divert the recovered artefacts.
“We wish the Government of Edo State do not bring politics into this as the Royal home cannot be political and will never be political.
“We are freeborn of the Benin Kingdom and will not allow any ugly history to repeat itself, as the Kingdom (Benin Kingdom) is known all over the World.
“The Palace and its environs are big enough to store any kind of artefacts that will be repatriated from the Europe/British country.”
The Benin youth group also demanded from the present administration financial records/details received by Edo State Government in respect of the Benin bronze from across the World within two weeks.
“We also state that LRT, which is called Legacy Restoration Trust, is a private company set up by some persons who are struggling to reloot Benin Artefacts by this they cannot be trusted and must be disbanded.
“Oba market and Urokopta Hall must and should be rebuilt by Edo State Government within three months, as they are part of our heritage.”
