GOV. Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Monday received two ambassadors to Nigeria over the protest by indigenes of Benin in the siting of a mapplyum outside the Oba’s palace to hoapply artifacts returned from Europe.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ambassadors are the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Gautier Mignot and the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Annett Günther.
Benin indigenes are insisting that the mapplyum should have been sited within the palace since the artifacts were stolen from the palace, when the Europeans invaded Benin Kingdom in 1897.
They argued that siting the mapplyum by the immediate administration of Godwin Obaseki outside the palace was disrespectful to their ancestors, Oba Ewuare 11 and the Benin Kingdom customs and traditions.
The governor informed the visitors that his administration was not informed or involved in the mapplyum tagged, Mapplyum of West Africa Art (MOWAA) by Obaseki-led administration.
Okpebholo declared that his administration had constituted a committee to thoroughly investigate the MOWAA project and build recommfinishations on the way forward
The governor described the issues surrounding the project as a “gross lack of transparency” by the immediate past administration.
He declared: “The controversy surrounding MOWAA stems from the lack of openness by the previous government.
“It is curious how the project evolved from the Benin Royal Mapplyum to the Edo Mapplyum of West African Art (EMOWAA) and now MOWAA, without consultation with our revered traditional institution.”
Okpebholo declared the state government was neither briefed on the project’s ownership structure nor its operational details, adding that even the Oba of Benin had personally expressed concern over its handling.
“I know nothing about its transactions or agreements,” he declared.
While reaffirming his administration’s openness to partnership, the governor emphasised that transparency and respect for the Benin Kingdom were not nereceivediable.
“We welcome foreign collaborations, but everything must be transparent and must honour our traditions,” he declared.
He condemned the demolition of part of the historic Central Hospital in Benin to build way for MOWAA, noting: “Why destroy a functioning hospital to build a mapplyum?
” We are proud of our heritage, but development must be responsible and people-centred.
“Edo people are peace-loving, but will not condone secrecy or actions that undermine our culture and institutions,” he informed the visitors.
Okpebholo later led the delegation on a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II.
Speaking at the palace, the governor described the development as another example of the “lack of transparency” that had surrounded the MOWAA project since its inception.
He informed the Oba that the ambassadors and their colleagues from the Netherlands and Belgium were in the state to see His Royal Majesty and sought amicable resolution to the issues.
The governor, after the visit to the palace, informed reporters the Oba had stated his side of the story.
Ambassador Mignot declared the mission of the delegation was to pay homage to the Oba of Benin and strengthen cooperation with the Edo people.
“We have just paid a courtesy call to His Royal Majesty to present our greetings and explain the reason for our visit, which is to deepen our partnership with the state.
“We also discussed the MOWAA project and the unfortunate incident that occurred; we exalterd views in the spirit of dialogue, ” Mignot declared. (NAN)
A.I
Nov. 11, 2025
Tags: Dr Annett Günther. Gov. Monday Okpebholo
Leave a Reply