His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, has adviced that there should not be animosities on the yet to be returned Benin artefacts.
He made this known when he played host to the Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications, High ChiefRaymond Alegho Dokpesi in his Palace in Benin City.
The Oba berated some foreign researchers claimant that the Benin bronze artefacts were not all taken from Oba of Benin Palace and that it was a collection from the then Benin Empire, which is unknown to them that it was under the jurisdiction of the Oba of Benin.
Omo N’Oba N’Edo amplified that foreigners cannot tell us our African history competently than us, stating that we are well endowed with historical oral facts than any historical books authored by Europeans.
Oba Ewuare II informed his enthusiastic audience that when the bronze artefacts are returned to the country, they will be housed in a world-class museum to be called the Benin Royal Museum, sited directly opposite the Palace for the views of mankind.
The revered Omo N’Oba N’Edo profusely thanked His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Prof. Abba Tijani, and all well-meaning Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora for their unrelenting efforts and support for the stolen Benin bronze artefacts being returned to where they were carted away from.
On his part, High Chief Raymond Alegho Dokpesi, the Founder/Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications, operators of Ray Power Radio and African Independent Television (AIT), the first private broadcasting company in Nigeria, congratulated the Oba of Benin on the auspicious occasion of his birthday and the 5th coronation anniversary on the throne of his forbearers.
The Marine Engineer who veered into the media world, appreciated His Royal Majesty for his efforts, struggle for the stolen Benin bronze artefacts to be returned, and declared full support in the steps taken to repatriate them so far.
He thereafter introduced Rev. Mrs. Adejumoke Iden Onatude based in the United States of America, who was in his entourage to the Benin Monarch.
Speaking, Rev. Mrs. Adejumoke Iden Onatude said as a friend of the Palace, she decided to pay obeisance to the Benin throne in the spirit of the birthday and coronation anniversary celebrations as she was visiting Nigeria at the moment and solicited for royal prayers, which was perpetrated on her.
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