Stolen artefacts: Benin Coalition takes on Obaseki

The plans by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to house the proposed returned stolen Benin artefacts in a universal museum to be known as Edo Museum of West Africa Arts, (EMWAA), may be jeopardised as a coalition of Benin youth groups has kicked against the plan.

The coalition’s grouse stems from their claim that the artefacts belonged to the Oba of Benin and as such, the state government could not determine where they would be stored.

The opposition by the youth group came barely one week after Obaseki at the 2021 Management retreat of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), held in Benin last Friday, unveiled plans for Benin City Cultural District, EMWAA Pavilion.

Reacting to the development, the coalition, in a jointly signed statement endorsed by the President, National Union of Edo South Youth, Comrade Osaghae Collins, President, Benin Solidarity Movement, Curtis Ugbo and President, One Love Foundation, Patrick Elohor, vowed to resist attempt by the state government to preside over or decide where the artefacts to be received would be housed.

The group insisted that the Royal Museums must be built directly opposite the Oba of Benin Palace, adding that any “structure that must be erected must get approval and must be guided by the Royal home of the Oba of Benin.”

“The major stakeholders in the affairs of Benin Kingdom have agreed and designed/proposed a place that stores the Benin artefacts,” the coalition stated, adding “that the board set up by Godwin Obaseki (EMOWAA) is an attempt to re-loot and steal the artefact for the second time and we demand the dissolution with immediate effect. The Benin Traditional Council, the Oba of Benin must oversee every activity as it concerns the return of the artefacts.

“We also demand for financial records received by the Edo State Government and the Legacy Restoration Trust, LRT, in respect of the Benin bronze from across the world within two weeks,” the group demanded.

The group maintained that the LRT is a private company set up by some persons who are and as such could not be trusted.

“Oba market and Urokopta Hall must and should be rebuilt by the Edo State Government within three months as they are part of our heritage,” it further requested.

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Benin Coalition takes on Obaseki’s stolen artefacts

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