From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Youths on the platform of Coalition of Benin Socio Cultural Organisation, yesterday, in Benin City, defied early morning rain to protest the planned establishment of the Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA) by the Edo State government and called on Benin sons and daughters of Benin and the Palace of the Oba of Benin, to commence the construction of the Benin Royal Museum.
The Royal Museum, an initiative of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, is proposed to warehouse the artefacts looted by the British in 1897 some of which are expected to be returned to the palace soon.
The group led by its Coordinator General, Osaze Amos-Edobor, started its march from the ancient Benin Holy Aruosa Church along Akpakpava Road to the palace of the Oba of Benin and then to the proposed site for the museum which is opposite the palace.
Armed with placards with various inscriptions, the group said Obaseki’s EMOWAA was alien to them.
The Secretary of the group, Osaro Culture Iyamu, while speaking, said “Today we are here to inform our great Oba, the Oba of Benin Kingdom to appeal to him not to be deterred, not to be disturbed, we are here to appeal to him to commence work on the proposed Benin Royal Museum, we are appealing that work should commence next week.
“We have great sons and daughters who have the wherewithal and we are also using this medium to advise them and appeal to them to join the palace to commence the construction of Benin Royal Museum. It is only the Benin Royal Museum that we the Edo people know
“We are at the permanent site for the museum to show to the world that Omo N’Oba already has a place for the construction of the Benin Royal Museum which is just opposite the palace.
“We don’t know any other museum for our artefacts apart from this. We want to also thank President Muhammadu Buhari for giving his nod to ensure that our artefacts are given the rightful recognition and the necessary support.
“We call on all Benins to support this project as we expect more to be returned because we are aware some have been returned and taken back to where they were stolen from. We are expecting more than 1000 more from the German government”, Iyamu added.