Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, made some historic decisions on Sunday that he claimed would make amends for the wrongs of the previous administration and promote goodwill between the government and the populace by restoring the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch over the controversial question of who owns ancient artifacts that were stolen from the Oba of Benin’s palace during the 1897 Benin Massacre by British colonial forces.
Additionally, the state government said that it was rescinding the letter that the previous administration had issued denying the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Center’s concession to be utilized as a vehicle park.
In contrast to the original practice of the enigie (dukes) representing the Oba of Benin in all the dukedoms receiving their entitlements through the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), the government also disbanded the various traditional councils established by the previous administration for each of the seven local government areas that comprise Edo South.
“This administration is restoring the center to a suitable condition for its original purpose,” said a statement released in Benin City on Sunday by Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s chief press secretary.
“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.
He said the Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan of the State Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that would house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum Of West Africa Art (MOWAA) “which the previous administration fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts.”
Recall that the Federal Government had 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 a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.
Itua in the statement said “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.
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“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 masaca 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.”
“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.”
Governor Okpebholo said his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.
