A group, Aiguobasinmwin Movement, has given kudos to the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, “for the landmark and historic announcement made regarding his full backing of the gazette issued by Federal Government in March 23rd, 2023 which ceded the right of ownership of artefacts to our God’s King, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin Kingdom.”
The group in a statement by its President, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture and the Secretary-General, Mr. Osayuki-Osa Benson-Secretary faulted former Governor Godwin Obaseki’s attitude to acquire returned stolen artefacts.
According to the group, “with this historic pronouncement, there is no doubt that the relationship between our revered Palace and Edo State Government will be strengthened which will remove all the encumbrance associated with the return of our stolen artefacts that were trapped in several foreign museums during Obaseki administration due to his unwillingness to work closely with our revered Palace.”
Going further, the group stressed, “regrettably, this act of maturity, kindness and wisdom exhibited and displayed by Governor Monday Okpebholo is what Obaseki lack which he couldn’t bring to bear because his intentions was to continually drag our returned stolen artefacts and its proceeds which he diverted to build his private museum known as MOWAA.
“May God Almighty and our ancestors continue to give you wisdom to pilot the affairs of Edo State as you put machineries in motion to turn the state to a construction site and fastest developing state in Nigeria.”
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