BENIN CITY: Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reinstated the full statutory rights of Oba Ewuare II, the Benin Monarch, and abolished the new traditional councils in Edo South established by the previous administration.

The governor also affirmed the Federal Government’s Gazette recognizing the Oba’s ownership of the repatriated Benin artefacts looted during the 1897 British massacre.

Additionally, Okpebholo’s administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre to its original purpose and reversing the previous decision to use it as a motor park. The state government is committed to supporting the Oba’s role as the custodian of Benin’s cultural heritage.

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Governor Okpebholo also expressed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the Benin Royal Museum, which will house the returned artefacts, aligns with the original plans set by the state government.
He distanced his administration from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA), which had been previously promoted by the former government to house the repatriated items.

In his statement, Okpebholo emphasized that the restoration of the Oba’s statutory rights is in recognition of the Monarch’s position as the rightful custodian of the Benin people’s customs, traditions, and cultural heritage.

The governor further pledged to respect and support the traditional institution, vowing to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.

The move by the Okpebholo administration is seen as a significant step in reaffirming the role of the Oba of Benin as a central figure in the preservation and promotion of the kingdom’s rich cultural legacy.