President Bola Tinubu has pledged to protect Benin artefacts returned to the country from different parts of the world as a way of archiving the people’s history.
Tinubu gave the assurance when he received the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, and other traditional leaders from Edo state.
The president stated that his administration would support the Benin Royal Council in its bid to establish a museum that will house the artefacts.
“It deserves our protection. We are glad to have them back, and we are glad you are happy. They are in protective custody. It is a matter of history, over a hundred years. We will work on the museum,” he said.
The President congratulated the Benin monarch for the retrieval of the stolen artefacts, commending his effort in ensuring that a befitting museum is built to archive the rich history and traditions of the Benin Kingdom.
In his response, the Oba of Benin Ewuare II, appealled to President Tinubu to help the Benin Palace to ensure that the artefacts returned are not stolen or taken over from the Benin Royal House.
The traditional ruler commended President Tinubu for the giant strides of his administration within its first few weeks.
