The Edo Heritage

10/07/2026

Okpebholo Welcomes Return of Benin Bronzes, Affirms Oba’s Custodianship

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has welcomed the return of the Benin Bronzes, describing the restitution as a historic moment for the Benin Kingdom. He also reaffirmed that the artefacts belong to the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

The governor spoke on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) at the Government House in Benin City.

The delegation was led by NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway. It included Switzerland's Consul General in Lagos, Conny Camenzind, Director of the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich, Professor Dr. Alice Hertzog, Curator Dr. Alex Malefakis, and other officials involved in the restitution process.

Benin Bronzes Belong to the Oba's Palace
Speaking during the meeting, Governor Okpebholo said the Benin Bronzes should never become the subject of political controversy.

"There is no point in playing politics with what belongs to the palace," he said.

According to the governor, the artefacts represent the spiritual, cultural, and historical identity of the Benin Kingdom.

For Further Reading:- https://www.edoheritage.com/2026/07/benin-bronzes-return-okpebholo-backs.html

04/07/2026

Traditional rites ordered by Omo N'Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, were held at the Benin Palace in Benin City as traditional worshippers invoked ancestral powers against kidnappers, bandits, armed robbers and other violent criminals.

The spiritual ceremony formed part of the Benin Kingdom's response to rising insecurity in Edo State. The Oba said the traditional rites were intended to complement the efforts of government and security agencies in restoring peace and protecting lives and property.

Traditional rites ordered by Oba Ewuare II were held in Benin City to invoke ancestral powers against kidnappers and violent criminals amid rising ins

04/07/2026

The Obi of Issele-Uku has praised His Royal Majesty Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, following the official reception of Benin artefacts returned from Switzerland, describing their homecoming as an important milestone in restoring the cultural and historical heritage of the Benin Kingdom.

Obi of Issele-Uku has commended Oba Ewuare II following the return of Benin artefacts from three Swiss museums, describing the restitution as historic

04/07/2026

The artefacts, which include a commemorative ancestral head of a past Oba and other culturally significant objects, were presented to the Benin Royal Court during a ceremony at the Oba's Palace in Benin City on Thursday. The objects had remained outside their homeland for nearly 129 years.

Oba Ewuare II receives 18 repatriated Benin artefacts from Switzerland, marking another milestone in the return of looted artefacts to the Benin Kingd

04/07/2026

Benin Bronzes Belong to the Oba's Palace
Speaking during the meeting, Governor Okpebholo said the Benin Bronzes should never become the subject of political controversy.

"There is no point in playing politics with what belongs to the palace," he said.

According to the governor, the artefacts represent the spiritual, cultural, and historical identity of the Benin Kingdom.

Benin Bronzes return to Nigeria as Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo says the artefacts belong to the Oba of Benin's Palace.

30/06/2026

Switzerland Returns 18 Benin Bronzes, Signs Cultural Pact.

Nigeria has achieved another milestone in its campaign to recover looted cultural heritage. Switzerland has returned 18 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria and signed a landmark agreement to strengthen the protection of cultural property between both countries.

The historic ceremony took place on June 29 at the National Museum in Lagos. Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Switzerland's Minister of Culture, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, signed the bilateral agreement on behalf of their governments.

The agreement aligns with the 1970 UNESCO Convention. It establishes a legal framework to regulate the import, export and return of cultural property. It also strengthens cooperation against the illicit trafficking of cultural objects.

Read More:- https://www.edoheritage.com/2026/06/switzerland-returns-18-benin-bronzes.html

19/06/2026

Oba of Benin Calls Emergency Security Meeting

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), acting on the directive of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N'Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has called for an emergency meeting of all Okaighele (community youth leaders) across the Benin Kingdom as part of efforts to address growing security concerns within Edo State and Nigeria.