As discussions continue for the loaning of some looted Benin artefacts from western museums and private collectors back to Benin city, human rights activist, Barr Osagie Obayuwana has called for permanent return of the stolen art works, to “heal” the “wounds” of 1897 punitive expendition by the British.

Obayuwana made the call on Saturday, while speaking with our correspondent at the sideline of public presentation of a book, titled “Benin Studies Under The Scarpel”, by Institute for Benin Studies to mark the 90th birthday of Dr Ekhaguosa Aisien, in Benin city, Edo state capital.

According to the former Edo Anthoney general, the British invasion of Benin was a grave injustice that was premeditated to seize and cart away thousands of the kingdom’s priceless arts.

“If they say crimes were committed, the rule of law presurposes an investigation that would isolate those that can be held responsible; not turn it into a racial war, a punitive expendition.

“they set virtually every house in Benin ablaze, all with an eye towards looting the museum. It is an injustice, it is an open wound that only truth can heal and part of that truth is returning what they looted permanently because it does not belong to them”, Obayuwana said

Obayuwana, who was the book reviewer further advocated for the Institute for Benin Studies to be part of the center and new museum to be constructed by the state government, to guide art lovers.

He acknowledged that there are stories behind the Benin art works from where “lessons can be learnt”.

“Our people need to learn how to read pictorials depicted, then come face to face with the event that brought about that particular picture”, Obayuwana added

Recall the state governor, Godwin Obaseki played down the need for a permanent return of the stolen artefacts, as he described the Benin art works as ambassadors.

“They represent who we are, and we feel we should take advantage of them to create a connection with the world”, Obaseki was quoted as saying at news conference at the British museum

The governor had disclosed recently that his administration will build a place to keep and study the loaned back Benin artefacts by 2021, and a permanent Edo museum by 2025.

“An independent trust has been set up to raise funds including representatives of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the royal palace of the Oba of Benin. Funds will be raised over the next two years to build the three-storey Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), and work on a research office to store the first returns which would start in March,” he told journalists

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the institute for Benin Studies, Princess Ivie Uwa Igbinoba said the book presentation was to continue the honouring of Dr Aisien for his “immense contributions” to the documentation and preservation of Benin history and culture.

Princess Igbinoba solicited for financial support for the institute to carry out their task of promoting research on Benin and propagation of her history.