The Special Committee, led by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, investigating the ownership and funding of the Museum for West African Art (MOWAA) has submitted its report.
Last December, the Edo State House of Assembly, in its recommendations following its investigation into MOWAA, asked Governor Monday Okpebholo to take possession of the entire premises on which MOWAA is built, since the state government funded the entire project.
The recommendation stated that the property remained that of the Central Hospital, as it was never revoked, and urged Governor Okpebholo to immediately take steps to put the property to good use in the best and overriding public interest of the people.
However, former Governor Oshiomhole’s Special Committee recommended changing the name MOWAA to the Benin Royal Museum of African Art and handing it over to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for proper management.
Speaking while submitting the report to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Oshiomhole said former Governor Godwin Obaseki spent N3.8 billion of taxpayers’ money on the MOWAA project and repeatedly changed the museum’s name for personal reasons.
Oshiomhole said the state government under Obaseki agreed to fund the construction of the Benin Royal Museum on land provided by the Oba of Benin.
He said Obaseki’s administration took several steps, demolished the Central Hospital, and decided to change the original name of the museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWA) and later to the Museum for West African Art (MOWAA).
The former Edo Governor said the Edo State government raised N800 million in seed money.
He said the investigation revealed that MOWAA’s claims that funds were raised for archaeological work and excavations were false.
He recommended that ‘The facility should not be demolished because it can’t be remodelled; the museum is allowed to stay, and the facility be given a proper name that will reflect the true ownership.
‘The name should be changed to Benin Royal Museum of African Art. The governor can use the same instrument of government to revert the name. This will attract artefacts from across the globe.
‘The museum should be returned to the Oba of Benin to manage it henceforth, as the government comes and goes but the Benin Monarch remains, and the artefacts can be protected better by the institutions that own them’.
On his part, Governor Okpebholo said the quality of the committee’s report showed the fairness and seriousness of the job.
He said, ‘At this point I will set up another committee to enable us to have a white paper on the issue, and the committee will liaise with the Ministry of Justice so that the recommendation will be turned into a white paper.’
‘I watched a video clip where Obaseki promised to build a Royal Museum to celebrate our Royal father but dramatically changed it to MOWAA. You have done a great job, and our ancestors will bless you all.’