In 1999, UNESCO listed the Oba of Benin’s palace and Igun Street, Benin City, as the citadel of bronze casting and cultural heritage sites.

Unarguably, after several centuries, artefacts churned out from Igun Street, continue to attract global attention.

Ironically, the same Igun bronze casting centre, that brought the Benin Kingdom into the global limelight, may soon go into extinction.

The centre is now faced with a dearth of raw materials, lamented Eric Ogbemudia, a sculptor and Secretary, Igun Bronze Casters’ Guild.

Ogbemudia told the News Agency of Nigeria, that bronze casting, as a craft, was established in the Benin Kingdom around 1280AD.

“And we got our royal charter from the then Oba, who gave our family the right of the monopoly of bronze casting.”

Ogbemudia explained that particular families way back were associated with bronze casting.

He said that the Oba, also established the guild system of administration, for the economic growth of the kingdom.