Media briefing of the State Comm. Min. of Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua
The Museum Of West Africa Arts (MOWAA) now said to be Edo Museum of West Africa Arts (EMOWAA) by the Sen. Monday Okpebholo led EDSG
From our Bureau Chief, Benin
The last may not have been heard about the controversy trailing the museum built by the administration of the immediate past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.
In the twilight of the administration of Obaseki, the Central Hospital said to have been built in 1926 by the colonial administration, was demolished and replaced with the museum.
Since its beginning, it has been a load of controversy bordering on its true owners, name and the demolished Central Hospital site chosen for it.
The controversy remained unresolved before Obaseki exited office and on Wednesday, 23 September, 2026, at the monthly media briefing of the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, the State Government told a new story version claimed to be the true state of affairs with the facility.
Chris Okaeben, the State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy on behalf of the Government told the latest story version of the controversy.
Okaeben narrates that the State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo strove to unveil the true story behind the controversy surrounding the establishment of the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWAA), which originally ought to be Edo Museum of West Africa Arts.
MOWAA now said to have been reverted to EMOWAA by the EDSG
Consequently, a committee to look at the real issues involved in the establishment and operation of the Museum was inaugurated.
“It’s no longer a contest that all of us in this country, in this age, and even in the diaspora; are well abreast about the outcome of that committee report which is now in public domain that the land where EMOWAA was built belong to Edo people yet they do not have an equity.
“Edo State Government invested over N3.5bn in that project yet there was no recourse to the custodian of our culture; HRM Oba Ewuare II.
“The question now is; at what point did the letter E in that Acronym indicating Edo suddenly disappeared and in the course of the committee’s thorough job, the truth was unveiled that you cannot build anything on nothing.
“And I was also privileged to host the German consulate in my office as the commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.”
Okaeben intimated that he inquired to know the exact investment of the European government in MOWAA.
In response, the Consulate was quoted to have said; “we don’t make investment but it was a support to the Edo State Government.”
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The Consulate was further said to have explained; that if it were an investment, it therefore means the European Government is expecting a return afterwards.
Rather, it was its support to the State Government to have a research institute somewhere in West Africa.
“And in the course of the search for a place that would be more suitable, Edo State being a home of culture, artifacts and even the ones most European countries are returning, where they need to be kept; Edo was unanimously chosen as a place the Museum should be built,” Okaeben narrates.
“At that point, I decided to revert to the initial name which Godwin Obaseki admitted before the Benin Monarch, HRM Oba Ewuare II which was the Edo Museum for West Africa Art (EMOWAA).
“So today, I can feel free as the State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and as steward of the people of Edo to say; flowing from the report of the committee of enquiry, we have in Edo today; Edo Museum of West Africa Art now our property.
“While we wait for further directive from the deputy Governor as to when all other official decisions and follow up will be done.”
Sanitising Kings Square
King Square also known as Ring road is the City centre of Benin, the State Capital, but under almost every administrations, its sanitary state have always remained an eyesore.
Continuing under the administration of the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the environmental situation remains unpleasant.
The King Square from the morning hour till night, is chaos like a jungle where anything goes; crazy commercial drivers loading and off loading passengers right at the centre of the road, cum traders displaying their wares everywhere with reckless abandon without recourse to order and the law.
Often, with the prevailing situation, there is perpetual traffic gridlock in the area and going through is akin to going through hell.
Even pedestrians too do not find it easy walking through the thick crowd of people who most times bump into each other and the sea of commercial drivers everywhere.
In fact; it is an understatement to say, daily, hell is let loose at Ring Road and urgently, a lasting solution is of essence!
Responding to journalists’ quizzing therefore, Okaeben obviously in anger stated: “Nigeria must not degenerate to where Security agents are told to go do their job; We have civil defence, we have the commissioner of Police, we have EDSTMA.
“Should security agents be told that trading shouldn’t be at the centre of Ring road?
“It has gotten to the point that bus drivers would turn in front of CBN; a place where hitherto the order was; no standing, keep moving! So, it is obvious that someone is collecting money from these guys.
“It’s not for NSCDC to be in their office doing nothing, some police are even sitting under the tree playing draft, the ones standing in front of the Area Command are collecting N20 from bus drivers and doing nothing.
“Meanwhile, you see them walk around those street traders at Ring road and not say anything.”
The commissioner assured; however, he and his team would give the situation; the attention it truly deserves “and if they do not take time; I will pull off this gentleman clothes I am wearing and put on T-shirt on jeans and trainers, I will go to Ring road myself.”
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Continuing, he challenged all stakeholders to rise to the collective responsibility of making the society work.
“Hence nobody should be reminded to be alive to their constitutionally assigned job. We must revert to reviving our values.
“And in a few days away, we will be celebrating our Monarch; his 10th Coronation Anniversary and visitors will enter the city and see people displaying pants and saying come and buy braziers. I mean these are sacrileges that are being committed that are affecting us.”
Okaeben intimated: “In 48 hours to the coronation anniversary event; we are going to restrict vehicular movement around Ring road, for this period of this event, at least let’s create a semblance of sanity in our beloved State.
“So, when you see traders going to put dummies at the centre of Ring road in front of First bank and First Bank authority is not paying attention, and CBN authority is not even paying attention I think it leaves us with no option as a Government to do that we are expected to be doing.”
#Edo in Diaspora, #EDSG, #MOWAA Controversy, #Arts and Culture, #Security agents #King Square must be sanitized
