Ikpea congratulates Oba of Benin over affirmed ownership, custody of repatriated artefacts
….Commends FG for taking the right decision, says Benin Kingdom is respected worldwide.
Benin City 13th April 2023.
A great Edo son, Hon (Dr) Joseph Ikpea has congratulated the revered Benin Monarch, Omo N’ Oba N” Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II on the affirmation of the Federal Government of Nigeria which stated in a March 28th, 2023 National Gazette that the Oba of Benin Kingdom is the rightful custodian of the returned looted Benin Artefacts.
In a special congratulatory message sent to the Benin Palace and signed by Hon Ikpea as made available to Urban Scoop Media, it says: I specially congratulate the great Oba Ewuare II on his affirmation by the Federal Government as the rightful custodian of treasured returned Benin art work looted by the British during the Benin Massacre of 1897.
The Federal government have done the ight thing by affirming your inherent custodianship of the ancient heritage. The retuned items were looted mostly from the palace of your ancestors and the federal government affirmation is an official seal over the right thing to do to avoid any further argument on the matter.
On behalf of myself, my family, my followers and the good people of Ewatto Kingdom, we wholeheartedly congratulate the Omo N’ Oba and pray for Gods guidance and protection over his household. We pray for Edoland to experience unprecedented growth and development under your reign…’ The statement reads in part.
