The Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, has taken custody of two looted Royal stools from the German government. The artefacts, bronze and wooden Royal stools (Ekete), were originally taken from the Royal family in 1897 during a punitive expedition.
The stools, made during the reign of Oba Eresoyen and Oba Esigie several centuries ago, were handed over to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) on behalf of the Nigerian government by the German authorities in 2022. The Director-General of NCMM, Mr. Olugbile Holloway, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government on May 18, 2024, in Oba of Benin’s Palace, Benin City.
The Oba of Benin, overwhelmed with joy, appreciated the German Government and the Federal Government and the NCMM leadership for their efforts.
He danced joyfully to Benin traditional music and offered prayers to Almighty God and his ancestors. In a rare move, the first-class traditional ruler sat on one of the Royal stools (Ekete) and personally presented a chunk of white chalk, symbolizing peace and blessings, to the Director-General of NCMM, Mr. Olugbile Holloway.
