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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has welcomed the return of the Benin Bronzes, describing the restitution as a historic moment for the Benin Kingdom. He also reaffirmed that the artefacts belong to the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

The governor spoke on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) at the Government House in Benin City.

The delegation was led by NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway. It included Switzerland's Consul General in Lagos, Conny Camenzind, Director of the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich, Professor Dr. Alice Hertzog, Curator Dr. Alex Malefakis, and other officials involved in the restitution process.

Benin Bronzes Belong to the Oba's Palace

Speaking during the meeting, Governor Okpebholo said the Benin Bronzes should never become the subject of political controversy.

"There is no point in playing politics with what belongs to the palace," he said.

According to the governor, the artefacts represent the spiritual, cultural, and historical identity of the Benin Kingdom.

"They are not just bronze objects. They are symbols of our heritage. They all belong to the Oba's Palace," he added.

Okpebholo also thanked the Swiss Government for supporting the return of the Benin Bronzes. He described the decision as an important step toward restoring the kingdom's cultural heritage.

NCMM Continues Benin Bronzes Restitution Efforts

NCMM Director-General Olugbile Holloway said the visit demonstrated the commission's continued partnership with the Edo State Government, the Palace of the Oba of Benin, and international institutions.

He said the NCMM remains committed to securing the return of more Benin Bronzes from museums and collections around the world.

"Benin is ground zero when it comes to restitution, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments is at the forefront of that effort," Holloway said.

He disclosed that all the Benin Bronzes recently returned by Switzerland had arrived in Nigeria and were currently in Lagos.

According to him, members of the delegation would later visit the Palace of the Oba of Benin to symbolically present some of the returned artefacts for traditional blessings.

Switzerland Welcomes Benin Bronzes Partnership

Speaking on behalf of the Swiss Government, Consul General Conny Camenzind described the restitution as an important milestone in cultural cooperation between Switzerland and Nigeria.

She said Switzerland was proud to have worked with the NCMM and the Ethnographic Museum of the University of Zurich to facilitate the return of the Benin Bronzes.

Camenzind added that she hopes the collaboration will strengthen cultural ties between both countries.

Source
https://www.edoheritage.com/2026/07/benin-bronzes-return-okpebholo-backs.html

Oba Ewuare II has directed traditional worshippers across Edo South Senatorial District to begin spiritual exercises against kidnappers, armed robbers and other violent criminals operating in Edo State.

The directive was issued on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, during an emergency meeting at the Oba's Palace in Benin City. The meeting brought together traditional worshippers, traditional doctors, priests, priestesses and other custodians of indigenous religious practices.

The emergency gathering followed an earlier announcement by the Benin Traditional Council, which summoned traditional worshippers to discuss the worsening security situation in Edo State.

Traditional Worshippers to Support Security Efforts
Speaking through Chief Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, the Akenuwa of Benin, the Oba said the spiritual exercise would complement the efforts of the Edo State Government and security agencies.

He described the initiative as a message inspired by the ancestors.

"The message is from the ancestors. Edo people at home and in the diaspora should hear this."

The monarch warned that criminals would not prevail in Edo State.

"The criminals should know that God Almighty and our ancestors will not allow their evil to prevail in Edo."

Traditional Worshippers Begin Spiritual Exercise
The Oba expressed concern over rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

He urged traditional worshippers to use every legitimate traditional means available to restore peace throughout the kingdom.

July 2 Return Date Announced
Oba Ewuare II instructed the traditional worshippers to continue the spiritual exercise for the coming days.

He directed them to return to the palace on July 2, 2026, with their ritual materials.

According to the monarch, the gathering will conclude with traditional rites against kidnappers and other violent criminals.

https://www.edoheritage.com/2026/06/oba-ewuare-ii-directs-traditional.html

The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N'Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has directed Okaighele in communities across Edo South to establish community-based security groups as part of a broader palace initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots security in the Benin Kingdom.

The directive was issued on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, during a meeting between the monarch and Okaighele representing the seven local government areas of Edo South at the Oba Palace in Benin City.

The engagement followed an emergency security consultation convened by the Benin Traditional Council after growing concerns over insecurity in Edo State and across Nigeria.

Oba of Benin Unveils Grassroots Security Initiative
According to the palace, each Okaighele must establish a community security group. Every group will consist of five to ten able-bodied men selected from its community.

The palace said the initiative will strengthen vigilance at the community level. It is also intended to support efforts to protect lives and property across the kingdom.

The royal directive was conveyed to the gathering by Chief Akenuwa of Benin, who addressed the Okaighele on behalf of the monarch.

Each Okaighele has been directed to compile the names of the selected volunteers. The lists will form part of the new security structure.

Community Volunteers to Be Coordinated Kingdom Wide
The names of the volunteers are to be forwarded to the Okao N'Oregwa of the Benin Kingdom, Chief Ima Iyase, who has been appointed to coordinate the emerging community security structure across the kingdom.

The palace also indicated that the security engagement would not be a one-off exercise.

"The Oba security engagement will be a continuous one that will bring about lasting peace and security in Edo State," the palace said.

Background
The latest directive follows a series of security focused engagements initiated by the Benin Traditional Council under the authority of the Oba of Benin.

On June 19, the palace announced separate emergency meetings with traditional doctors, priests, priestesses and Okaighele to explore traditional and strategic measures that could complement government efforts to address rising insecurity.

Those consultations formed part of a wider response by the palace to increasing concerns over kidnapping, violent crime and other security challenges affecting Edo communities.

The Okaighele serve as recognized youth and community leaders in many parts of the Benin Kingdom. They assist in community administration, mobilization, and the implementation of palace directives.


The formation of community security groups is one of the first concrete outcomes of those consultations. It reflects the palace's effort to strengthen grassroots participation in maintaining peace and security.

https://www.edoheritage.com/2026/06/oba-of-benin-directs-community-security.html

Oba of Benin Calls Emergency Security Meeting

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), acting on the directive of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo N'Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has called for an emergency meeting of all Okaighele (community youth leaders) across the Benin Kingdom as part of efforts to address growing security concerns within Edo State and Nigeria.

According to a public announcement issued by the Benin Traditional Council and dated June 19, 2026, the meeting is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Ugha Ozolua, Oba Palace, Benin City.

The council said the gathering was convened under the authority of the Oba of Benin following a review of the prevailing security situation in the state and across the country.

Palace Seeks Traditional Solutions to Security Challenges
In the notice, the palace stated that Oba Ewuare II had deemed it necessary to explore traditional and strategic measures that could complement government efforts aimed at restoring peace, order, and security.

According to the document, the monarch has "taken due cognizance of the prevailing security situation within Edo State and the Nation at large" and considers it necessary "to further explore all traditional and strategic means to complement the initiatives of Government towards the restoration of peace, order, and security in our domain."

https://www.edoheritage.com/2026/06/oba-of-benin-summons-okaighele-to.html

The Benin Traditional Council (BTC), under the authority of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, CFR, the Oba of Benin, has reaffirmed the Oba’s authority over market leadership in Edo State and formally rejected the introduction of the Iyaloja title, describing it as alien to Benin tradition and potentially disruptive to public peace.

In a public memo dated October 7, 2025, the Palace reiterated that the Iyaloja institution common in other parts of Nigeria has no foundation in Benin tradition. It stressed that the Benin market leadership structure, known as the Iyeki system, operates under long-standing cultural and spiritual principles directly tied to the Palace.

Palace Explains Iyeki Market Leadership System
The Council clarified that in Benin custom, Iyeki (market leaders) are chosen by market women and later presented to the Palace for confirmation similar to how village heads (odionwere) are approved before installation.
The Palace does not appoint or impose Iyeki on any market, nor does it recognize any overarching or “honorary” title such as Iyeki General, which the Iyaloja concept implies.

Council Warns Against Politicising Markets
The Benin Traditional Council Iyaloja statement warned that politicising market leadership could endanger public order. The Palace urged the Edo State Government to respect long-established cultural systems when considering market reforms.

Read more:-
https://www.edoheritage.com/2025/10/benin-council-affirms-oba-authority-rejects-iyaloja.html