The 36th Oba of Benin, Oba Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwen, Eweka II, ruled from 1914 until his death in February 1933. He was the son of Oba Ovonramwen (1888–1897), who was banished to Calabar when the British carried out a punitive expedition in Benin City in 1897 and removed from power.
The royal palace was reconstructed by Oba Aiguobasinwin Ovonramwen Eweka II after the British had demolished and looted it in 1897. He also restored the kingdom’s customary organization. Ovonramwen’s royal coral regalia, which the British had taken, was given back.
In addition, Eweka II established the Benin Arts and Crafts School, reinstated the artisan guilds, and ordered new items to replace the ones the British had looted. In February 1933, he passed away. Sidney Friede, a former professional football player, is one of his descendants.
