Oba of Benin Seeks Rotary International’s Support for Return of Looted Artefacts

The Ewuare II has appealed to Rotary International to support efforts to recover more than 3,000 Benin artefacts looted during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom.

The monarch made the appeal during a meeting with Rotary International Chief Executive Officer and Secretary-General, John Hewko, at the royal palace in Benin City.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Oba Ewuare urged Rotarians worldwide to collaborate with the Benin Royal Court in advocating for the return of the artefacts currently held by private collectors and foreign museums.

The artefacts were taken after British forces invaded the Benin Royal Court during the 1897 expedition.

The monarch said many of the artefacts are in the possession of private collectors, particularly in the United States, and called on Rotary members across the world to engage their counterparts in Europe and other countries to support the repatriation campaign.

“Members of Rotary Club are all over the place. I would like you to join forces and collaborate with the Benin Royal Court towards the return of about 3,000 artefacts that are out there,” the monarch said.

In his remarks, Hewko praised Oba Ewuare for promoting peace and mediation in Edo State and beyond.

He said Rotary International recognised the monarch’s efforts in fostering unity and community development, adding that peace remained a core value of the organisation and its 1.2 million members worldwide.