By Jethro Ibileke
The Edo State Government has distanced itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration of Godwin Obaseki fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts.
The Government also abolished the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, announced this in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
The statement noted that the Okpebholo’s administration is backing the initial plan of the State Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts.
The statement further announced several restorations to the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, and the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).
These include the full statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch over the contentious issue of the ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by the British colonial forces.
Others are the withdrawal of the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration to be used as a motor park.
The statement read in part:
“This administration is restoring the centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.
“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.
“Accordingly, Governor Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and has ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now-abolished councils be maintained.
“Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the Monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.
“It is in recognition of this that the administration of Governor Okpebholo shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artefacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin massacre of 1897.
“The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts.”
Governor Okpebholo said his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.
“The Governor is using his constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof.”