Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has said that his government was not informed about the presence of foreign envoys in the state for activities related to the Museum of West African Art in Benin City. He recently expressed surprise over the envoys’ visit and later led the delegation on a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua confirmed that the governor spoke to a high-powered delegation of European diplomats, including the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot, and the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Annett Günther, at the Government House, Benin City.
According to him, having no prior knowledge of the visit is another example of the lack of transparency surrounding the MOWAA project since its inception, and that should not be the case.
“We are here with the European and German Ambassadors, and their colleagues from the Netherlands and Belgium, to see His Royal Majesty. They have spoken about areas of collaboration and also about what happened yesterday.
Honestly, I wasn’t aware that such a gathering was going to take place; that’s the truth. However, we have spoken with the Oba and obtained his side of the story,” he said.
Okpebholo further noted that his government has already constituted a committee to thoroughly investigate the MOWAA project and suggest how to move forward.
He concluded by faulting the gross lack of transparency by the immediate past government in handling the project.
“The committee will look into the matter comprehensively and make appropriate recommendations.
The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness by the previous government.
It is curious how the project evolved from the Benin Royal Museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), and now to the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), without clarity or consultation with our revered traditional institution.
The previous administration never briefed me about MOWAA nor handed over any documentation concerning the project. I know nothing about its transactions or agreements.
Why destroy a functioning hospital to build a museum? We are proud of our heritage, but development must be responsible and people-centred.
Edo people are peace-loving and welcoming, but we will not condone secrecy or actions that undermine our culture and institutions,” he added.
