Oba Akenzua II
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Oko Godfrey Edokparhogbuyunmwun Basimi Eweka (7 January 1899 – 11 June 1978), ascended the Benin throne as Oba Akenzua II in 1933. He envisioned modernizing the Edo people while preserving Benin cultural values amidst Nigeria's changing landscape. He championed western education, benefiting from his own impressive schooling at Government School Benin City and King's College Lagos. His professional training in administration prepared him to promote educational opportunities for future Edo generations, significantly influencing the establishment of Edo College. He also maintained the monarchy's relevance in colonial Nigeria and facilitated cooperation under British indirect rule. Oba Akenzua II built upon these foundations, achieving high administrative roles while serving as Oba. His contributions included membership in the Nigerian Legislative Council and the Western Region House of Chiefs. In 1966, he became Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University and received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Benin in 1972. One of the earliest recorded restitution efforts for the return of Benin belongings are attributed to Oba Akenzua II, who demanded the return of the Royal Stools from the Royal Museum of Ethnology in Germany in 1935/6, which resulted in the purchase of replicas.