MOWAA controversy: Okpebholo says he wasn’t informed of foreign delegation’s visit to Edo

Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, has expressed surprise over the recent visit of a foreign delegation, including European Union (EU) and German ambassadors, to the state for the opening of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

On Sunday, protesters invaded the MOWAA’s premises, forcing the evacuation of international guests and the cancellation of all preview events.

The protesters chanted war songs and demanded that the facility be named the “Benin Royal Museum” instead.

Speaking on Monday while receiving the foreign delegation at the government house in Benin City, the governor said he did not have any prior information about the event.

The delegation included Gautier Mignot, the EU ambassador to Nigeria, and Annett Günther, the German ambassador.

The governor later led the ambassadors on a courtesy visit to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.

“We are here with the European and German ambassadors and their colleagues from the Netherlands and Belgium to see His Royal Majesty,” Okpebholo said.

“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 gotten his side of the story.”

Okpebholo said the state government was not briefed on the project’s financials, ownership structure, or operational details, adding that even the Oba of Benin had personally expressed concern over its handling.

“The previous administration never briefed me about MOWAA nor handed over any documentation concerning the project. I know nothing about its transactions or agreements,” he said.

He described the development as another example of the “lack of transparency” that has surrounded the MOWAA project since its inception.

“The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness by the previous government,” the governor said.

“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.”

Okpebholo said his administration had already constituted a committee to thoroughly investigate the MOWAA project and make recommendations on the way forward.

“The committee will look into the matter comprehensively and make appropriate recommendations,” he stated.

At the palace, the monarch lamented the manner in which the project was executed.

“It is like history wanting to repeat itself. My forefathers suffered during the British invasion of 1897, and it is not fair that this is happening again,” he said.

“The documents they brought for me to sign would have taken away our rights to these artefacts, and I refused.”