Protest: Cultural Group Urges Government To Halt Ongoing Construction Of MOWAA\

By Simeon OSAJIE

A cultural group known as  “Aiguobasinmwin Movement” today protested to the Edo State Government House and the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council demanding a halt to the ongoing construction of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

The youths in their hundreds also marched through major streets of Benin metropolis, calling on the newly sworn-in Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to intervene and revoke the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the MOWAA site.

The Founder/President of Aiguobasinmwin Movement, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture and           Secretary-General, Mr. Osayuki-Osa Benson who led the group on a peaceful protest alleged that the immediate past Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki deliberately diverted the money meant for the construction of Benin Royal Museum to build his private museum known as Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) which is situated within the premises of old central hospital.

Iyamu described the purported action of the immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State working against the construction of Benin Royal Museum to build his private museum known as MOWAA as a sacrilegious act.

He said, “We are here today with the evidence before us to inform you that Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate governor of Edo State deliberately diverted the money meant for the construction of BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM to build his private Museum known as MOWAA which is situated within the premises of the old central hospital.

“It will interest you to note that this Godwin Obaseki sacrilegious act started 2 years ago when he went for Art Exhibition Programmes in Germany and other European Countries wherein they announced the release of funds as part of their support for the construction of Benin Royal Museum as proposed by our God’s King, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom.

“Having gotten the brief from the German Officials and European Leaders, the former governor came to Nigeria, Edo State to front his private NGO called Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd. as against Oba Ewuare II Foundation which he later changed to EMOWAA-MOWAA in a bid to using it as a tool to securing the release of the money diverted to build his private Museum (MOWAA) instead of Benin Royal Museum. Sadly, the said money was eventually released to Obaseki which he diverted to build his private Museum (MOWAA)

“In light of the above, we want to humbly appeal to His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo to immediately revoke the C-of-O of the dubious MOWAA and convert it to People’s Hospital (General Hospital).

Iyamu appealed to the Okpebholo-led government to immediately set machinery in motion in view to support the revered Benin Palace to construct the proposed Benin Royal Museum.

The group also called on the state government to begin the renovation of Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre that was shut down by the former governor over matters relating to ownership of Benin Artefacts.

MOWAA Institute’s Director, Ore Disu, could not be reached at the time of filing this report but a source close to the Institute’s Director said that MOWAA is an independent nonprofit entity owned and operated by the Museum of West African Art LTD/GTE, and presided over by an independent Board of Directors.

In response, the State Chairman of  Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade (Dr) Festus Alenkhe commended the protesters for caring out the protest peacefully and promised that what they have said will be given adequate publicity.