Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has taken a significant step towards healing past wounds and strengthening relationships between the government and the people. He has reinstated the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch, specifically regarding the ownership of ancient artefacts looted during the 1897 Benin Massacre by British colonial forces
The press release signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Fred Itua and made available to journalists on Sunday afternoon, added that the Edo State Government has rescinded the decision made by the previous administration to revoke the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which had been repurposed as a motor park.
“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.
The Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan of the State Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts.
The Federal Government has also issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This was done through Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.
“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.”