By Raphael Okhiria

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, may have put an end to the long-drawn controversy surrounding the establishment of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), when recently declared that the project will be restored to its original and rightful owner.

The governor who made the declaration when he received the Benin Royal Father, Oba Ewuare II, in his office at the Government House, said a cultural edifice envisioned to honour the heritage of the Benin Kingdom must not be fraudulently cornered.

The Oba’s historic visit to the Government House, drew a distinguished audience of traditional rulers, political leaders, senior civil servants, and members of the public, filling the New Festival Hall to capacity.

Governor Okpebholo described the visit as a defining moment of unity between the State Government and the Benin Monarchy, noting that the relationship between both institutions remains the foundation of Edo’s identity and pride.

“Your Majesty,” the Governor said, “I wanted to make a speech, but the video we just watched, where former Governor Godwin Obaseki promised to build the Benin Royal Museum as a gift to you, has already made it for me. The issue of the Museum of West African Art is over. It was a birthday gift to Your Majesty, and it will be restored as such.

“I am glad that the Attorney-General, our political leaders, and other stakeholders are here to witness this. I will take this video to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has immense respect for culture and is a personal friend of the Palace. I am confident that Mr. President will not support any act that undermines the dignity of the Benin Kingdom.”

Governor Okpebholo further reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to work with the Benin Palace, the Federal Government, and international partners to ensure the return of all looted Benin artifacts to their rightful home, even as he pledged to facilitate the establishment of the Benin Royal Museum as a global centre for cultural preservation and historical education.

Senator Okpebholo emphasized that the visit of the Oba symbolized the strength of collaboration between traditional and political institutions, reiterating his administration’s commitment to mutual respect, peace, and the protection of Edo’s ancestral values.

“As we approach our first anniversary in office on November 12,” we do so with gratitude for Your Majesty’s guidance and blessings”, noting”this administration remains devoted to securing our communities, empowering our youth, and preserving our cultural heritage. Edo’s strength lies in her traditions and we will uphold them.”

Speaking, the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, lauded Governor Okpebholo as “Akpakomiza,” a divinely chosen leader whose emergence was destined to bring peace, prosperity, and honour to Edo State.

The Monarch recalled his thank-you tour of Esan land shortly after his coronation, during which, he said, the sun and moon appeared together in the sky; a celestial sign that greatness would one day arise from Esan land.

“I prayed for a governor who would put food on the table of the people, develop the state, and respect traditional institutions. That prayer has now been answered through Akpakomiza.”

The Monarch commended the governor for his impressive achievements in less than a year in office, including the restoration of the Benin Traditional Council’s full statutory allocation, the return of the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, and notable improvements in infrastructure, security, and land administration.

On MOWAA, Oba Ewuare II called on the governor and President Bola Tinubu to investigate and rename the historical monument to the Benin Royal Museum, as was originally conceptualized.

He alleged that the former Director General of National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM, Tijani Abbas in connivance with the former governor, conspired against the Benin palace and signed some documents on his behalf towards the Benin Royal Museum.

The Benin Royal Father who gave the background on some issues between the Benin throne and the former governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, noted that MOWAA, which he claimed was laced with fraud and lacked transparency, was formerly conceived as the Benin Royal Museum that is meant to house all the repatriated Benin artefacts to Nigeria.

The first Class traditional ruler said, “as a Diplomat, I carried the struggle of my father and grandfather for the return of looted Benin artefacts to the palace. I travelled to far corners of the globe.

“I had invited the then governor, in 2017 after he was sworn-in. I intimated him how far my father and I have been fighting for the return of the stolen Benin artefacts.

“I solicited his collaboration – being the governor of the state, and he (Obaseki) promptly agreed to support this effort. But on my second Coronation anniversary, he (Obaseki) came to meet me.

“He (Obaseki) surprised everyone when he said that he had a meeting with the Benin Dialogue Group and said that some Museums and international donors were already cooperating with him for the setting up of the Benin Royal Museum. He said that he had invited them for their next meeting in Benin.

“Everyone applauded him. Somehow, I had a bad feeling about it as if something was going wrong or something was going to go wrong. As if my ancestors were prompting me not to believe the story.

“During Covid-19, I found out that there was an evil plan and that a lot of money was coming for artefacts to the palace. But they decided to divert it to their own.

“Suddenly, I saw that they co-opted my eldest son into their conspiracy because of the fact that if they see him as the Crown Prince of Benin that could serve as proof that they are collaborating with the Oba Palace. They would have succeeded in convincing international donors particularly the German government.

“After they constituted the Legacy Restoration Trust where they promised to give him a Board seat, the German government which did not even understand our tradition, did not care to find out for reasons best known to them because they were having interest of their own in Benin artefacts and conceded”, Oba Ewuare II said.

“The project was meant to be the Benin Royal Museum,” the Oba insisted, adding: “I fully support my people who protested against the attempted opening of MOWAA. The House of Assembly should continue its investigation into its funding and ownership. The world recognizes it as the Benin Royal Museum, and it must remain so.”

The monarch further urged Governor Okpebholo to revisit his proposed agricultural industrial hubs across Edo State to boost food production, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.

He also called on President Tinubu to fulfil his promise of supporting the Benin Royal Museum project.

Friday’s royal visit, the third of its kind in recent history, following similar visits by the late Oba Erediauwa in 2012 under Governor Adams Oshiomhole and by Oba Ewuare II in 2017 during Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure, ended with prayers for peace, unity, and enduring progress in Edo State.

With the Oba’s visit and the governor’s firm pronouncement, the clouds of controversy that once shrouded the MOWAA project have finally lifted, marking a new dawn of cultural restoration and mutual respect between the government and the Benin Kingdom.