Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has granted Oba of Benin full ownership rights to returned artefacts stolen by the West.
Okpebholo’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, stated this on Sunday, adding that the state government has abolished the new traditional councils in Edo South created by the last administration.
He said the governor has also revoked the concession of Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which was used as a motor park by the last administration.
Itua said “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.
“The Federal Government had issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This was done through a 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 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 artifacts 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.”
On his November 12 inauguration, the new Edo State governor had said his administration would uphold the Oba of Benin as exclusive owner of returned looted artefacts from the Benin massacre of 1897 by British colonial forces.
