The governor of Edo State, Sen. Monday Okpebholo on Sunday took some landmark decisions which he said was to right the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and foster cordial relations between the Government and the people by restoring the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch over the contentious issue of the ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by the British colonial forces.
Besides, the government said it was withdrawing the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration to be used as a motor park.
The government also abolished the various traditional councils created by the past administration for each of the seven local government areas that make up Edo South as against the initial practices of the enigie (dukes) representing the Oba of Benin in all the dukedoms getting their entitlements through the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).
A statement by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua issued in Benin City on Sunday said “This administration is restoring the 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, “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.
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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.
“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 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.”
“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.
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