Key Points

• Governor reinstates the Oba’s full rights and financial entitlements.
• Federal gazette recognizes Oba’s palace as artefacts’ custodian.
• Cultural Centre and Benin Royal Museum restoration projects underway.

Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, abolished the traditional councils established in Edo South by the previous government while restoring the full statutory rights of Oba Ewuare II, the monarch of Benin.

Governor abolishes Edo South traditional councils created by predecessors

 The governor’s larger attempt to preserve the Benin Kingdom’s cultural and historical integrity is reflected in this action.

The governor’s principal press secretary, Fred Itua, issued a statement on Sunday in which Okpebholo emphasised his administration’s commitment to conserving the Benin Kingdom’s cultural legacy.

Reversing the previous government’s contentious plan to turn the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre into a motor park was one of the key decisions. Plans to return the building to its original use as a cultural centre were unveiled by Okpebholo.

Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre restored to original purpose

According to the statement, “this administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua Centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.” “The new traditional councils established in Edo South by the previous administration are also abolished by this administration.”

According to businessday, the governor also mandated the restoration of pre-existing structures that had been ousted by the disbanded councils and reinstated the Benin Traditional Council’s financial rights.

The goal of this restoration is to make the Benin Kingdom’s ancient leadership structure stronger.

Furthermore, Okpebholo stated his support for a Federal Government gazette that would publicly acknowledge the Oba’s palace as the legitimate keeper of treasures that were looted during the Benin massacre in 1897.

The decree establishes the palace’s ownership of the antiques and was published as Government Notice No. 25 in Official Gazette No. 57, Volume 110.

The governor reiterated his commitment to building the Benin Royal Museum and further separated his administration from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA), a project that the previous administration had suggested.

Repatriated Benin antiquities will have a permanent home in this museum, where they will be preserved under the Oba’s guardianship.

The statement went on to say, “This administration fully supports the Oba of Benin in preserving the kingdom’s rich cultural heritage and respects the Federal Government’s decision.”

While resolving problems brought on by the contentious policies of the previous government, Okpebholo’s initiatives are viewed as an important step in bolstering the Benin Kingdom’s historic and cultural identity.