Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, abolished the new traditional councils established in Edo South by the previous administration and reinstated the full statutory rights of Oba Ewuare II, the monarch of Benin.
Additionally, he supported the Federal Government’s Gazette, which granted the Oba’s palace, stolen by British colonial forces during the Benin massacre in 1897, ownership of the restored artifact.
Additionally, the state government is rescinding the letter that the previous administration had granted to use the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Center as a car park.
Fred Itua, the governor’s chief press secretary, made these public in a statement on Sunday.
“This administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua center to a suitable condition for its original purpose,” the statement added.
Additionally, the new traditional councils established in Edo South by the previous administration are abolished by this administration.
As a result, Okpebholo has reinstated the Benin Traditional Council’s statutory financial rights and mandated that the situation remain as it was before to the establishment of the now-defunct councils.
In contrast to the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA), which the previous administration designated as the museum to house the returned Benin artifacts prior to the federal government’s intervention in the matter, the Okpebholo administration supports the state government’s initial plan to construct the Benin Royal Museum, which will house the returned artifacts.
Additionally, the Federal Government has published a Gazette recognizing Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, as the owner and custodian of the repatriated Benin artifacts. Government Notice No. 25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110, was used to accomplish this.
The statement also stated that Okpebholo pledges the support of his administration to ensure the Monarch fulfills his role as the guardian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people and respects the rights and privileges of Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom.
The Federal Government’s decision to maintain the Oba of Benin as the sole proprietor of the returning Benin artifacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin massacre in 1897 would be supported by the governor’s administration in appreciation of this.
“My administration respects the customs and traditions of the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artifacts. The Oba of Benin is the father of all Benin people and is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people.”
Okpebholo declared his administration’s commitment to abstaining from meddling in the Benin Traditional Council’s internal matters.
The statement said, “The governor is restoring all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof by using his constitutional powers and respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin.”
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