Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reinstated the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin, addressing longstanding issues surrounding the ownership of artefacts looted from the Benin Palace during the 1897 British invasion.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, in Benin City.
As part of the restitution efforts, the state government has revoked a letter issued by the previous administration that converted the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre into a motor park. Additionally, the government has abolished the newly created traditional councils in Edo South, restoring the original structure of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC).
The statement further affirmed the restoration of the statutory financial entitlements of the BTC and directed that the pre-existing traditional council arrangement be upheld.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration also reiterated its commitment to supporting the construction of the Benin Royal Museum to house the repatriated artefacts. The governor distanced his administration from the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), a project promoted by the previous government, emphasizing that the returned artefacts would remain under the exclusive ownership of the Oba of Benin.
In his commitment to the autonomy of the Benin Traditional Council, Governor Okpebholo pledged that his government would respect the Oba of Benin’s authority and avoid interference in the council’s internal affairs.
This decisive move underscores the administration’s dedication to preserving Benin’s cultural heritage and reinforcing the sovereignty of the traditional institution.
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