By Abiola Olawale
In an announcement on Sunday, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has
Said he is restoring full powers to the Oba of Benin over artefacts and culture.
The governor also said he was restoring all statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).
Okpebholo declared that the Oba of Benin, His Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, will now have the full ownership rights to returned stolen artefacts.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua in Benin City.
The statement reads in part: “This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.
“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.”
Okpebholo said his decision aligns with the Federal Government’s directive of restoring the full statutory rights of the Oba of Benin on the ownership of ancient artefacts looted by the British colonial forces during the 1897 Benin massacre.
The Governor also withdrew the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration.
The statement continued: “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 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.”
