By Edo State Governor Restores Full Statutory Rights to Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reinstated the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, abolishing the controversial traditional councils in Edo South created by the previous administration.
The governor also backed the Federal Government’s Gazette, which gave the ownership of the returned Benin artifacts to the Oba’s palace. These artifacts were looted during the 1897 Benin massacre by British colonial forces.
Additionally, the state government announced the withdrawal of the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which the previous administration had designated as a motor park. The governor pledged to restore the center to its original cultural purpose.
Newly crowned 40th Oba of the Benin kingdom, Oba Ewuare II (C), walks on a wooden bridge assisted by palace aides to perform the rite during his coronation in Benin City, Midwest Nigeria, on October 20, 2016. The crowning of the 40th Monarch of the ancient Benin kingdom marked the end of weeklong activities surrounding the coronation of the Oba of Benin.
These were contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Sunday. The statement further read, “This administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua center 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 the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts before the federal government intervention on 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.”
The statement added that 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 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.
“Okpebholo said his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.
“The governor is using his constitutional powers and respect for traditional institutions to ensure that all statutory rights of the revered Oba of Benin not mentioned hereof,” are upheld,” the statement concluded.
