Oba of Benin, Ewuare II.

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

The Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, has asked the British government to return all the Benin artworks illegally carted away by the British and other European countries during colonial rule in Nigeria.
He made the request at his palace in Benin, Wednesday, when he played host to the Deputy British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Laure Beaufiks.
According to the Monarch, the Benin artifacts which are the best works of art in the world, were looted and carted away during the Benin invasion in the 14th century.
It would be recalled that the British government had in 2015, returned Ahianmwen-Orhor (ancient bird) and Agogo (traditional bell) which were looted during the invasion.
Oba Ewuareban II told Beaufiks that the palace will seek cooperation with British authority to ensure return of all artifact stollen from the Kingdom which represent the Bini identity and culture.
This is even as he assured his guest of the collaboration of his palace with the British government in the battle against human trafficking, prostitution and illegal migration, which is currently ravaging the nation.
He disclosed that the palace is working out several measures, including skill acquisition and agro businesses to turn youths’ attention away from illegal migration and other social vices.
He however solicited the cooperation of the British government in the area of development and export of artifacts and tourism, adding that the palace authority is developing and international museum gallery center where Benin arts would be displayed.

Earlier in his speech, Ms. Beaufiks, told the Monarch that she was in his palace to seek collaboration with the palace authority in combating human trafficking, prostitution and illegal migration.
She noted that eradication of the score a of human trafficking and prostitution would prevent diseases.