MOWAA Has Angered US - Aiguobasinmwin Movement, Wants C OF O Revoked

The Aiguobasinmwin Movement has issued a strong condemnation of the Edo Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) and its Executive Director, Mr. Philip Ihenacho, following the group’s protest demanding the revocation of MOWAA’s Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) and its conversion into a People’s Hospital.

In a press statement signed by its President, Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, and Secretary-General, Mr. Osayuki-Osa Benson, the Movement accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of masterminding the establishment of MOWAA through alleged fraudulent means. They claim the museum project diverted funds initially earmarked for the construction of the Benin Royal Museum, which was championed by the revered Oba of Benin, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.

According to the statement, Obaseki exploited his role in the Benin Dialogue Group, a committee formed in 2019 to facilitate the return of looted Benin artifacts and mobilize resources for the Benin Royal Museum. The group alleges that the governor attended international art exhibitions without the committee’s knowledge and used those opportunities to secure financial commitments, later diverting these funds to a private company initially named Legacy Restoration Trust Ltd. The company was reportedly rebranded as EMOWAA and subsequently as MOWAA to advance what the Movement calls a “selfish agenda.”

The Aiguobasinmwin Movement further highlighted that a Federal Government Gazette issued on March 23, 2023, ceded the ownership rights of Benin artifacts to Oba Ewuare II, a development they say undermined Obaseki’s claims and created rifts with international stakeholders.

Drawing parallels with other controversial state projects like the Radisson Hotel and Ossiomo Power Plant, the Movement described MOWAA as another questionable venture. They insist the government must revoke MOWAA’s C-of-O and repurpose the site as a People’s Hospital to serve the public interest.

“If this demand is not met, we will take over the site in defense of our heritage and the people’s welfare,” the statement warned.

The group concluded with rallying cries for Edo heritage and unity, affirming their unwavering support for the Oba of Benin and the preservation of Benin artifacts.

OBA EDO GHA TO KPERE ISE

Full text of the press Release below 

AIGUOBASINMWIN MOVEMENT

Press Statement,

20/11/2024

The Executive Director of MOWAA Has Angered Us

Our attention has been drawn to the provocative response of Philip Ihenacho who is Executive Director of MOWAA over the protest we embarked upon last week regarding the revocation of C-of-O of MOWAA and it's conversion to Peoples Hospital. In his criminally minded response, Philip Ihenacho who is the Executive Director of MOWAA excluded Obaseki as the initiator and sole owner of MOWAA whereas Philip Ihenacho failed to realize that even the blind and deaf can attest to the fact that Obaseki is the owner of MOWAA which he used to swindled and diverted the money meant to build BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM. 

History has it that Obaseki never had any plans to build museum in Edo state until he got and stole the idea from own God's King, Omo N' Oba N' Edo Uku Akpolo Kpolo, Oba Ewuare II.

It is interesting to note that around 2019, our God's King Omo N' Oba N' Edo Uku Akpolo Kpolo, Oba Ewuare II inaugurated a group known as Benin Dialogue Group that was made up of leaders of diverse backgrounds including Obaseki who was a Governor as at that time whose mandate was collective engagements of foreign countries/organizations/museums who are in possession of our stolen ARTEFACTS in view to fast tracking the safe return of our looted ARTEFACTS and ensuring the mobilization of resources for the construction of BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM.

As usual, Obaseki whose intention abinitio is to betray who so ever he does business with, ran to Germany and other European Countries to attend Art Exhibition Programmes without carrying the other members of Benin Dialogue Group along. While in Germany and other European Countries for the Art Exhibition Programmes, the Organizers of the programmes made financial commitment towards the construction of BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM.

Sadly, as Obaseki returned to Nigeria, Edo State, instead of Obaseki to go straight to our revered Palace in order to brief our God's King regarding the meetings he had with some foreign countries and organizations who made financial commitment towards the construction of BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM, Obaseki assembled his cohorts like the Philip Ihenacho and others to registered a dubious company known as Legacy Restoration Trust Ldt which they were using to engage and negotiate with the foreign countries and organizations that made financial commitment towards the construction of BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM. While they were using Legacy Restoration Trust Ldt to pursue the money meant to build BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM, they(Obaseki and Philip Ihenacho) applied to CAC for the change of Legacy Restoration Trust Ldt to Edo Museum For West Africa Art(EMOWAA) in continuation of their selfish and hidden Agenda against the original plan of our revered Palace.

Fortunately, while we were protesting via various mediums urging Obaseki to obviate his hands from our stolen ARTEFACTS, Federal Government issued a Gazette in march 23rd 2023 which ceded the right of ownership of ARTEFACTS to our God's King, Omo N' Oba N' Edo Uku Akpolo Kpolo, Oba Ewuare II. Thus, the aforesaid historic action undertaken by Federal Government created rifts between the foreign countries and Obaseki that released funds for the construction of BENIN ROYAL MUSEUM as against Obaseki private museum thereby leading to another restructuring of EMOWAA to MOWAA by Obaseki and his Oghion-Oba and Oghienvbo group of companies.

Regrettably, the discreet transaction surrounding MOWAA is synonymous to Radison Hotel, Ossiomo Power Plant, ShopRite, Fordsmart, Saro-Farm, Presco Oil, Central Hospital etc

In view of the above, we want to reiterate our position on the dubious MOWAA that Edo State Government should immediately revoke it's C-of-O and convert it to People's Hospital before we take over the said please.

Aiguobasinmwin-Artefacts!

Aiguobasinmwin-Museum!!

Aiguobasinmwin-Edo!!!

OBA EDO GHA TO KPERE ISE!!!!

Signed:

Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture-President 

Mr. Osayuki-Osa Benson-Secretary General