Oshiomhole Panel Blasts Obaseki, Recommends Renaming And Relocation Of Museum

Chairman of the Special Committee on the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has submitted the committee’s report on its investigation into the ownership and status of the museum.

The committee was established by Governor Monday Okpebholo to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment, funding and naming of MOWAA.

In the report, Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleged that the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki spent about ₦3.8 billion in public funds on the museum project.

He also faulted the repeated changes to the museum’s name, arguing that the alterations raised questions about its ownership and status.

According to Oshiomhole, sustained advocacy by the Oba of Benin for the return of artefacts taken from the ancient Benin Kingdom eventually led to agreements for their repatriation and discussions around establishing a Royal Museum to house the returned artefacts.

He said the Obaseki administration initially agreed to provide funding for the construction of the Benin Royal Museum on land provided by the Oba of Benin, a development he said was publicly announced and welcomed by residents of the state.

However, Oshiomhole said the administration subsequently demolished the Central Hospital and changed the proposed museum’s name, first to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWA) and later to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

The committee chairman disclosed that the state government provided ₦800 million as seed funding, while additional donations were received from various sources.

He said: “The German government donated four million euros, Leventis $1.5 million dollars and more.

“Five days before the expiration of the Obaseki-led administration, the governor approved and released ₦1 billion naira. This brought the payment of the Edo State government to ₦3.8 billion.”

Oshiomhole further argued that the series of name changes effectively transformed the project into a private enterprise. He said the management of MOWAA claimed to have received more than $18 million, which it said was spent on acquiring land and conducting archaeological excavations.

However, according to the committee, its investigation found that these claims were not accurate.

Committee’s Recommendations

Among its recommendations, the committee advised against demolishing the existing facility, saying it could be retained and remodelled for its intended purpose.

It also recommended renaming the institution Benin Royal Museum of African Art to properly reflect its ownership and historical significance.

The committee further proposed that the museum be returned to the Oba of Benin for management, arguing that while elected governments change, the Benin monarchy remains a permanent institution capable of safeguarding the artefacts and cultural heritage associated with the kingdom.

Oshiomhole said the museum could attract artefacts from different parts of the world if its ownership and identity were properly established.

Receiving the report, Governor Monday Okpebholo commended the committee for what he described as a thorough and balanced investigation.

The governor said the quality of the report demonstrated the committee’s seriousness and commitment to the assignment.

Okpebholo disclosed that his administration would constitute another committee to prepare a white paper on the report, working with the Ministry of Justice to translate the recommendations into government policy.

The governor also recalled that Obaseki had initially spoken about constructing a Royal Museum before the project was subsequently renamed MOWAA.

He praised Oshiomhole and members of the committee for their work, saying their efforts would be appreciated by future generations.

The Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor; State Attorney-General, Prof. Roland Otaru; and other senior government officials were present during the submission and reception of the report.