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The Edo State Government has announced plans to rehabilitate and overhaul the long-abandoned Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre in Benin City to restore it as a public monument and a hub for cultural activities in the state and beyond.
Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Ikhilor, disclosed the plan while receiving members and executives of the Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide and the Coalition of Benin Social Cultural Organizations, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Benin City.
He said that, aside from the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre, the Edo State Government would also renovate parts of the Palace of the Oba of Benin that require refurbishment.
He stated that the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre would have been renovated and rehabilitated a year ago, but the lack of budgetary allocation affected the government’s plans.
“The issue of the dilapidation of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre is what should have been handled last year. In fact, the governor sent the then Managing Director (MD) of the Public Building and Maintenance Agency to visit the place and see how it can be restored.
“The agency did a survey and came up with a plan on how to overhaul and rehabilitate the Cultural Centre. But lack of budgetary allocation affected the plan but now we are reviewing that plan. Aside from the Cultural Centre, the palace of our revered monarch, the Oba of Benin, is also inclusive in the plan.
“Some renovative work needs to be carried out in the palace. The issue of Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre and the Palace of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, is being looked into by the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Ikhilor added that the Cultural Centre attracted many people to cultural events, assuring residents that the Okpebholo administration would restore the facility and ensure it once again became a centre for cultural events and activities in Edo State and across the country.
“I recall that at a point the main event hall was Urokpota Hall, then came the Cultural Centre and it became the center of events.
“Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre should be a public monument and a hub for cultural activities. As a government we are going to ensure we revive it because there are a lot of activities that can take place here, it is what this government will do,” he stressed.
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The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Chris Okaiben, said Edo culture is one of the richest in Nigeria, noting that advancing the creative sector would bring significant benefits to the people of Edo State.
He disclosed that his ministry is planning to organise stakeholders in the creative sector and that about 1,700 people have indicated interest, adding that the initiative would expand opportunities to promote the achievements of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
“The Ministry will promote the good intentions of the government, promote and encourage tourist destinations for those intending to visit Edo State.
“I am glad to report that our Royal Father, the Oba of Benin, invited me and informed me that as part of his 10th coronation anniversary, it will begin with the Edo Festival. The plan for the celebration is on,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Coordinator-General of the Coalition of Benin Social Cultural Organizations, Mr Amas Osazee, commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his achievements in securing the lives and property of Edo residents.
“I want to thank the governor for not playing politics with the returned artifacts of His Royal Majesty. He has done well in that aspect and he made it known to us that he will never play politics with such. We wish him well in managing the affairs of the State.
“As a group, we appeal to the State government to renovate the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre. The state of the structure is questionable and not what many people want to see. We appeal to the governor to redirect his focus to that because we are cultural people and believe in the legacy of the monarchy and the State government.”
The President of the Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, Iyamu Osaro Culture, said the group is committed to defending Benin culture, the rights of the Benin people and the authority of the Oba of Benin.
He noted that the group had played a significant role in ensuring that the present administration came on board and restored the identity of the Edo people, which he claimed had been balkanised by the Obaseki-led administration.
“Our support for governor Monday Okpebholo is not for personal gains but for the administration to restore the identity of the Benin people and we are all glad that the said identity has been restored by this government,” Osaro said.
