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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has taken significant steps to correct the actions of the previous administration under Godwin Obaseki and improve relations between the government and the people.
In a move aimed at addressing the long-standing issue of the ownership of ancient Benin artefacts, Governor Okpebholo has restored the full statutory rights of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, over the artefacts looted during the 1897 British colonial invasion.
The artefacts, which were taken from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the infamous Benin massacre, have been a point of contention for years.
Okpebholo’s administration also rescinded the controversial decision made by Obaseki’s government to revoke the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre in Benin, which had been slated for conversion into a motor park.
The withdrawal of this letter signals the government’s commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom.
Edo governor said: “This administration is restoring the cultural centre to a suitable condition, for its original purpose.
“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South Senatorial District, created by the last administration.”
Okpebholo also declared that he had restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now-abolished councils be maintained.
Edo governor backed the initial plan of Edo state government to build the Benin Royal Museum, opposite the palace of Oba of Benin, which would house the returned artefacts, thereby distancing his administration from the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), Edo, at the site of the demolished over one-hundred-year-old Central Hospital, Sapele Road, Benin.
The Federal Government earlier issued a gazette for the recognition of the ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, which was done through a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.
Okpebholo said: “I respect the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of Benin Kingdom, the Oba of Benin. I pledge the support of my 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 my administration shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artefacts.
“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.
“I am using my constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other statutory rights of the Benin monarch not mentioned hereof.”
Edo governor also assured that his administration was committed and would refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the BTC.
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