Oba Ewuare II Attributes Success in Protecting Artifacts to Prayers

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, stated that divine intervention and prayers were crucial in preventing attempts to re-loot returned Benin artifacts. During a courtesy visit from Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, Chairman and CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the monarch expressed that reliance on God, rather than human strength, was key to overcoming threats to the kingdom's cultural treasures.

He highlighted the role of traditional chiefs, royal family members, and well-wishers in safeguarding these artifacts. Oba Ewuare II vowed that no attempts to take away the returned artifacts would succeed during his reign.

He noted that the campaign for the restitution of looted artifacts began before his reign and that he has intensified efforts initiated by his predecessors. He expressed satisfaction with the international response to the kingdom's restitution demands and recalled his diplomatic efforts as Nigeria’s ambassador to Scandinavian countries to strengthen cultural relations and promote the return of cultural treasures.