By. Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
Benin Solidarity Movement( BSM),
worldwide , has advised governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, to keep off returned Benin Artefacts by some foreign countries.
BSM, gave the warning in a release
signed by the President, Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo,made available to journalists in Benin City.
According to him, “Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide has received with trepidation the news that the Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki in collaboration with some criminally minded individuals mostly of Benin extraction have through the backdoor planning to corner our stolen but soon to be returned Benin Artefacts by some foreign countries.
“The action is a complete treachery against the Benin Kingdom under the guide of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare11, N’Ogidigan.
” For those conversant with history Governor Godwin Obaseki’s action is a repeat of what his great grandfather did in the time of the British invasion of Benin Kingdom in 1897 where he sold out the Kingdom to the British invaders.
” Also we want to seize this opportunity to warn those parroting support for Governor Obaseki’s action that their days of judgment has come close and none of them will escape it.
“People like Orobosa Omo Ojo who used to be like a Secretary to our Omo N’Oba N’Edo as at the time our Oba was a heir to the throne and who have suddenly find himself in cahoot with Governor Godwin Obaseki for pecuniary purposes are warned not to count their teeth yet as the dawn is near when all will account for their acts of ommission or commission.”
He said, ” We, members of the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide, stand with the Oba of Benin who by all dictates is the sole guide of the custom and tradition of Benin Kingdom and who by tradition ought to be given full authority of what steps to take to make the about to be returned artefacts find their right place of rest in Benin land.
Adding that, ” we reject and shall resist any form of conspiracy by political jobbers of Benin extraction and their cohorts. The stride of a gentle leopard cannot be under estimated. he concluded.
Meanwhile, in his reaction, Orobosa Omo-Ojo JP (Journalist, Founder, Tribal Heritage Centre @museumhouse, Former Special Adviser to Edo State Government on Arts, Culture and Tourism, said,
“those kicking against any proposed museums do not understand the underbelly of our struggle for the return of these artifacts.”
Adding that, “At no other time did we as a people move so close to getting the volume of works the Germans, French and some private collectors have agreed to return.
“But they will only return them with assurance that they will be displayed in a world standard museum for (public enjoyment and entertainment).
“The funds to build the museum will come from archeological and heritage restoration multilateral agencies and they have a precondition tied to the money. My take is, as long as the Museums are built in Benin City, to generate funds and jobs, am in total support.
“Government can build a world-class cultural village like EMOWAA and support the construction and establishment of The Benin Royal Museum inside the Palace.
“There are countless artifacts out there in Europe and America that can find rest in as many museums as possible. I have museum here in Benin City and several others but that shouldn’t foreclose the expansion of our heritage asset.
There are over 200 Benin Court Arts locked up in Onikan Lagos at the National Museum. What effort have we made to demand for their triumphant return to Benin City?
Emotions won’t put food on the table of Edo people. The problem here is that the government is refusing to engage the palace in the public space to explain what has transpired.
On the issue of ownership, the UNESCO charter and the establishment of National Commission for Museum and Monuments have altered the definition of ownership of heritage assets.
All over the world, governments are gifted with the ownership responsibility for ‘public interest’.
The original owners where they are traceable negotiates and gets commensurate (compensation/royalties) from the commodification of the tangible items. In the present circumstance, the Benin Court Arts.
“The details aren’t encouraging. Ego and selfism is at play, not minding the benefits that the project will accrue. He concluded.