Benin Group Hails Okpebholo on Artefacts, Seeks Cultural Reforms

The Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide has commended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo over his recent position on returned Benin artefacts, describing his remarks as a significant shift from the approach of the immediate past administration and a development capable of reshaping the long-standing debate surrounding ownership and custody of the cultural treasures.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the President of the group, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, and Assistant Secretary, Mr. Uhunoma Ewere Lucky, the movement said the Governor’s remarks during a meeting with the Consul General of Switzerland and the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments at Government House in Benin City had strengthened its long-standing campaign on the issue.

According to the group, Governor Okpebholo reportedly stated that the returned artefacts belong to the Oba’s Palace and emphasized that there is only one Oba’s Palace in Edo State. 

The movement described the position as historic and a departure from the controversies that surrounded the management and control of the returned artefacts under the previous administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The organisation argued that the Governor’s position aligns with the cultural and historical aspirations of the Benin people and expressed optimism that it could bring clarity to issues that had generated public debate in recent years.

While applauding the Governor’s position, the movement also called for urgent government intervention in other cultural and heritage matters within the state.

Specifically, it urged the Governor to fulfill his campaign promise on the renovation of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, which it claimed has fallen into a state of neglect and requires immediate rehabilitation to preserve its cultural significance.

The group further raised concerns over what it described as the privatization of the Edo Festival, noting that the annual event has traditionally been a statutory programme under the Ministry of Art, Culture and Tourism.

It called on the state government to empower the ministry to continue coordinating and organizing the festival as was done by previous administrations, stressing that preserving cultural institutions and traditions remains critical to safeguarding the identity and heritage of Edo people.

The renewed intervention by the movement is expected to further intensify public conversations around the management of cultural assets and heritage institutions in Edo State.