It is now well known that we Benin people want our Benin Bronzes back in their spiritual home – Oba Palace, Benin-city, from where they were looted by British forces in 1897.
Ten years ago, on 20 June 2014, an English man did just that. He took his inherited Benin bronzes, that had been taken from Benin-city by his grandfather, and he found his way to Oba Palace, Benin-city, and returned them directly to Oba Erediauwa CFR.
This singular act by Mark Walker and organised by Chief Dunstone and his team, as described by Dr Taiwo Idemudia-A member of the Odionnwere Council of the United Kingdom & Ireland, is the reason why institutions in Germany, America, Europe and the United Kingdom have recently started to return their looted Benin Bronzes back to Nigeria.
- In London on 6th July 2024, to mark the 10th anniversary of the “First Return of Benin Bronzes, Edos gathered to thank Chief Steve Dunstone for his efforts.
In a night full of raw emotions, Chief Steve Dunstone told his story of how he was contacted by Dr Mark Walker who had inherited two Benin Bronzes from his grandfather. How the Benin Community in the United Kingdom led by Dr Charles Omorodion cried when they saw the Bronzes and how they rallied around his team to ensure they achieved their mission of taking the Bronzes back to their spiritual home in the face of an attempted hijack by the Nigerian Consulate in the United Kingdom to take the Benin Bronzes to President Jonathan Goodluck.
Dr Charles Omorodion, Edwin Igue, Joe Ehigiamusoe, Pastor Monday Ibude who were all an integral part of this story were there on the night to tell their story. Chief Steve Dunstone’s family and friends were there to witness a “moving” night in London where Edos simply wanted to say, “Thank You”, to someone who has done us an unquantifiable favour in our quest to get our Benin Bronzes back to their spiritual home-Oba Palace, Benin-city.
There were moving speeches from our VIP’s- Benin Royals- Princess Theresa Erediauwa and Prince Ekpen Erediauwa. Destiny Ebhodaghe from Esan voice UK was in attendance to extend gratitude to Chief Steve Dunstone from the Esan Community Worldwide. Prince Joseph Ogiehor delivered a touching address as to why the looted bronzes have displaced Benins till today and why restoration of the Benin Kingdom is incomplete without all the looted Bronzes being back in their spiritual home.
Chief Steve Dunstone has written a book about his life and his experience of meeting Oba Erediauwa. The book titled,” The one with the key”, by Chief Dunstone was launched in the Edo community UK on the night for £9.99 and was purchased by every Edo person in attendance. The book is available on Amazon and we advise everyone to get a copy.
Chief Dunstone spoke about the mandate he received from Oba Erediauwa to continue helping with the return of Benin Bronzes. He has vowed not to stop and that his dream is that all the Benin artefacts looted in 1897 will be returned back, to the exact place from where they were taken out of Benin-city by British forces in 1897. Obaghatorkpere Ise.
Special thanks to Benin Union UK, Edo Development Aid UK, CACGM, the truth centre, Mr Uyi Okundaye, Josephine Woghiren Ejele & Rosetta Etemewei for their contributions to this event. Every year June 20th is Chief Steve Dunstone’s Day in the Edo Diaspora UK and we will continue to use this day to remember the efforts of Steve Dunstone and his team as well as recognise Edo champions in the Edo Diaspora UK Community.
“The One with the Key” by Chief Steve Dunstone was bought for £100 by Prince Ekpen Erediauwa & £50.00 by Pastor Monday Ibude on behalf of Rev. Friday Igbineweka of CACGM, The Truth Centre, London.
Obaghatorkpere Iseeeee
The Editor
