Gov Okpebholo Reverses Decisions On New Traditional Councils, Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, Looted Artefacts
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Sunday reversed major decisions taken by his immediate predecessor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
Recall that Okpebholo was sworn in as governor of Edo State on November 12, 2024.
The governor on Sunday announced his decision to restore the full statutory rights of Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, abolishing the new traditional councils created by the Obaseki administration in Edo South.
He also declared support for the Federal Government’s Gazette that has given the ownership of the looted artefacts that were returned to the country to the Oba’s palace.
The artefacts in question were looted by the British colonial forces during the 1897 Benin massacre.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the governor in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, also added that the state government has taken a decision to withdraw the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre which the Obaseki administration had converted to a motor park.
‘This administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.
This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.
Accordingly, Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council 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 as a museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts before the federal government’s intervention in the matter.
The Federal Government has also 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’ he said.
The statement added that 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 continued support of his administration in order to ensure that 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 Governor Okpebholo administration 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 father figure to 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’ the statement added-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you.
