Skip to main content

Gov Okpebholo restores full statutory rights to Oba of Benin

Gov Okpebholo restores full statutory rights to Oba of Benin 

In a bid to further right the wrongs of the immediate-past administration and foster cordial relations between the Government and the people, the Edo State Governor,  Senator Monday Okpebholo has restored the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch over the contentious issue of the ownership of ancient artefacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin during the 1897 Benin Massacre by the British colonial forces.



Also, the State Government is withdrawing the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration to be used as a motor park. 


“This administration is restoring the centre 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, Governor Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) 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.


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.


“Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of 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 masaca 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.”


Governor 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 the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof.”


Signed:

Fred Itua, 

Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Okaijesan Palace, Princes, Princesses Backs Superlee's Chairmanship Aspiration

Okaijesan Palace, Princes, Princesses Backs Superlee's Chairmanship Aspiration By: Our Correspondent On Saturday 11th October, 2025, The entire royal family of the Okaijesan of Esanland, the Princes, Princesses, their distant families, as well as all the friends of the palace, came together to throw their weights behind Prince Abdullahi Momodu's aspiration of contesting for the Chairman of the Esan Central local government area, come 2026 Edo state local government elections. This move came after the entire family agreed that, what binds them together, is bigger than what is attempting to divide the them. The unification, and oneness of the 'Neramas', 'Jamatas',...in support of Prince Abdullahi Momodu, came after some persons insinuated that the Palace was divided ahead of the Edo state 2026 local government elections. In an exclusive interview with Winning Media Online, Prince Abdullahi Momodu, aka Supalee, the Esan Central Chairmanship hopeful, thanked all his...
Post a Comment
Read more

EDO STATE BY ELECTION; CHAIRMAN EDO STATE TMB CONGRATULATES IKPEA, IGBINEDION.

  EDO STATE BY-ELECTION; CHAIRMAN EDO STATE TMB CONGRATULATES IKPEA, IGBINEDION. The Chairman, Edo state Traditional Medicine Board, TMB, High Chief Abudu Ugbesia, JP, has congratulated the Senator elect for Edo Central Senatorial district, Hon. Dr. Joseph Ikpea and Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, the Member-elect to represent Ovia Federal constituency, on their victory at the polls in the just concluded Edo Central Senatorial district election, and Ovia South West/North East Federal Constituency by-election that held on Saturday, the 16th of August, 2025. Speaking with a team of newsmen in his country home, Ibore-Irrua, the ward 1 of Esan Central Local Government Area, Chief Abudu who thanked Governor Okpebholo for appointing him as the Chairman of Edo state Traditional Medicine Board, also said; “this empowerment given  to me by our Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo empowered me greatly in coordinating all the members of the state Traditional Medicine Board". Continuing, Chief Ugb...
Post a Comment
Read more

Disregard Forces Of Darkness In Ambrose Alli University

OPINION Disregard Forces Of Darkness In Ambrose Alli University By: Imoudu Peter Since the Selection Panel for the appointment of a new substantive Vice Chancellor began its assignment, our beloved university, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has witnessed a recrudescence of the evil machinations of these seemingly entrenched forces of darkness.  Social media and a few nondescript media outlets have been awash with their odious, scurrilous, insensate and markedly false publications. Who are these desperados and what exactly do they want? It must be anything but the over all well-being and best interests of our great University.  Masquerading under faceless groups and anonyms, these media rats have been calling out the name of our most illustrious former substantive Vice Chancellor, Professor I.A. Onimawo and spewing absolute gibberish! What has the poor former VC got to do with the Selection Panel’s remit over the appointment of Principal officers for Ambrose Alli University?...
Post a Comment
Read more