Protest: Cultural Group Storms Government House To Halt Ongoing Construction Of MOWAA




Youths in their hundreds who are members of a Social Cultural group, Aiguobasinmwin Movement, on Thursday, protested to the Edo State Government House and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council Secretariat
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 in the state, calling on the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo to intervene and revoke the Certificate of Occupancy 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 former state governor, Godwin Obaseki 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 old central hospital.

Iyamu described the purported action of the former Governor Godwin Obaseki 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 Obaseki 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 know that this Obaseki sacrilegious act started 2 years ago when he went for Art Exhibition Programmes in Germany and other European Countries wherein they announced the released 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 Ldt as against Oba Ewuare 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 l3d 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.

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

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