The Federal Government has moved in to resolve the impasse between the Museum of West Africa and Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Governor Okpebholo had reclaimed some parcel of land from MOWAA for the construction of a General Hospital that was demolished by the administration of Godwin Obaseki.
Okpebholo disclosed the Federal Government intervention while addressing protesters who marched to the Government House to demand an immediate halt to the planned opening MOWAA.
He said the Minister of Culture and Tourism reached out to him and would be in Edo State to engage further on the matter.
Okpebholo, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of Benin culture and tradition, said he would not allowed anybody to undermine the cultural authority of the Benin Kingdom.
He said their concerns were legitimate, saying his administration shared their resolve to ensure that Benin culture, heritage, and ancestral symbols were never desecrated, diminished, or exploited.
“Our culture is our identity, and I assure you that this administration will never allow its desecration,” he said. “We know where these artifacts were taken from. Now that they have been returned, they must be restored to their rightful place. His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, is the true custodian of our heritage, and nothing will be done to undermine that truth.
“I will meet with His Royal Majesty to discuss this issue thoroughly.
“Please, be assured that nothing belonging to the people of Edo will be taken away from them. Give me time to resolve this matter in a way that honours our history and our Monarch.”
The protesters said the plan to inaugurate MOWAA on November 11, was premature, disrespectful, and potentially illegal.
Spokesman for the protesters, Comrade Osazee Amas-Edobor, said any attempt to commission MOWAA ahead of legislative clarity and royal approval would constitute an affront to the State and the Throne.
“We are here today because the proposed opening of MOWAA is unacceptable,” Amas-Edobor said. “If commissioned under these circumstances, it would disrespect the State Government, the Edo State House of Assembly, and, most importantly, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II.”
He said MOWAA was originally conceived as the Royal Museum, a project intended to serve the Benin Palace before being altered through what he described as a questionable “Legacy Trust” initiative under the Godwin Obaseki administration.
“Benin people do not insult elders. Our protest is to preserve our heritage and to ensure that what belongs to the Oba is not misappropriated in any form.”
