₦airaland Forum

MOWAA: Okpebholo revokes land title as museum clears air on status

By Ozioruva Aliu
November 10, 2025

BENIN CITY – THE Edo State Government has ordered the revocation of the Right of Occupancy earlier granted to the Museum of West African Art, MOWAA, by the former administration of Godwin Obaseki.

The governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo in a statement personally signed by him and dated October 21, 2025 but made public on Monday in Benin City said the decision was carried out “in the overriding public interest,” citing the authority vested in him by Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (now the Land Use Act).

Meanwhile, the MOWAA on Monday refuted claims and alleged misconception over the status of Benin Bronzes and the status of the Museum where it reaffirmed its deep respect for His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II stressing its commitment to work collaboratively to preserve and promote West Africa’s cultural heritage.

In the official statement by the governor titled, “Land Use Decree 1978: Revocation of Statutory Rights of Occupancy Pursuant to Sections 28 and 38,” Governor Okpebholo declared that the land previously allocated to the Edo Museum of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE has been reclaimed by the state and would be restored to its original use as the Benin Central Hospital, a historic medical institution that has served the city for over a century.

The statement read: “Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the power conferred upon me by Section (28) 1 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling me on that behalf, I, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, Executive Governor of Edo State of Nigeria, hereby revoke the Statutory Rights of Occupancy granted to Edo Museum Of West African Art Trust (EMOWAA) Ltd/GTE for overriding public interest.”

Governor Okpebholo explained that the land in question, known as Digital Plot No. 61977, Zone HI/A12/Ogboka, Benin City, in Oredo Local Government Area, measures approximately 6.210 hectares and was the site of the demolished Central Hospital, controversially cleared during Obaseki’s tenure to make way for the museum project.

He further noted that the boundaries of the property were contained in the survey attached to the Certificate of Occupancy dated November 28, 2022, registered as No. 169 at page 3 in Volume 45, and now kept in the EDOGIS Land Registry, Benin City.

Meanwhile, the Director of MOWAA, Phillip Ihenacho in the statement also clarified that it does not hold, nor has it ever claimed ownership of, any Benin Bronzes.

“Since our inception in 2020, the Museum has consistently affirmed that it has no claims to these artefacts. Our focus for the last four years has been firmly on broader West African art, research, education, and conservation, with a strong focus on modern and contemporary, as well as historical works from Nigeria and beyond. There are no Benin Bronzes on display at the Museum, nor have there ever been.

Ihenacho added, ” With regard to recent references to the Benin Royal Museum, we wish to clarify that MOWAA has never claimed nor presented itself as the Benin Royal Museum in order to secure funding. We would suggest that the relevant authorities confirm directly with any and all of our donors that we have never misrepresented our status.

MOWAA further added that it aims to support other museums and cultural institutions in Benin City and across West Africa. “Our goal has always been to complement, not compete with, other cultural institutions,”

On the official opening, he said no such event has taken place adding that it was a “private preview for partners and stakeholders marking the start of a preview week for its first contemporary exhibition and a showcase of conserved historical works none of Benin heritage”.

Ore Disu, Director of the MOWAA Institute, added: “We set out to demonstrate that it’s possible to build world-class conservation facilities, research, and exhibition spaces right here in Nigeria. This is a gift for black and African people everywhere; for people today and future generations.”

tiswell:
You mean APGA faithfuls cheer governor Soludo?

Thank you, Ndi Anambra,

I can never express enough gratitude for your immense support on this jinx-breaking journey.

Our promise remains firm and unwavering, and our resolve to fulfil it grows even stronger by the day.

The destination is a liveable and prosperous smart megacity — a homeland we can all be proud to live in, learn, work, relax, and enjoy. On this, we are laser-focused and ready to shift into higher gear over the next four years.

May Anambra continue to win!

“SOLUTION CONTINUES”: Soludo thanks President Tinubu, commends INEC, Security Agencies, for transparent, and credible process

Soludo has also thanked Ndi Anambra for their sacred trust. He applauded INEC, , and Security Agencies, for a transparent, free, and fair election.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6X5dsqzRBM?si=4EyFi9gGGcIwmNUk

“SOLUTION CONTINUES”: Soludo thanks President Tinubu, commends INEC, Security Agengies, for transparent, and credible process

Soludo has also thanked Ndi Anambra for their sacred trust. He applauded INEC, , and Security Agencies, for a transparent, free, and fair election. pic.twitter.com/7mWRrJWa6d

— Anambra State New Media (@AnambraNewMedia) November 9, 2025

As Soludo headed to Awka yesterday, his people came out en MASSE to cheer him. #AnambraDecides #AnambraDecides2025


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAmRNzwM2QI?si=g3JL3jo_haWuHr0L

As Soludo headed to Awka yesterday, his people came out en MASSE to cheer him. #AnambraDecides #AnambraDecides2025 pic.twitter.com/1g7NU4PnGJ

— Anambra State New Media (@AnambraNewMedia) November 10, 2025

@BashirAhmaad has to be the most human in Nigeria currently, man literally didn't even mention anything about the murder of Barau FC player in his post.

And there goes Nana falling down. A member of his club staff followed him, and the club general manager as well, but guess what? Where is the pitch invader? Ohh, maybe he has a magic cloak we guess


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjWKK2G9CM?si=rLMR8Vi0sprRH3gq

And there goes Nana falling down. A member of his club staff followed him, and the club general manager as well, but guess what? Where is the pitch invader? Ohh, maybe he has a magic clock we guess https://t.co/EAsRwulf3i pic.twitter.com/62uDIRq2AZ

— Katsina United (@katsinaunited) November 9, 2025

Bittersweetnig:
my friend, was NAMA attacked? Yes or No. You are as guilty as charged,

ekineme:
This video doesn't justify the actions of the fan, the guy was injured, the extent of the injury can be argued, because when I saw slit throat on the news I was scared but after seeing the pictures of the injury my takes are this:
1. The attacker intention might be to slit the throat going by the position of the injury but the guy fought back and defended himself hence the minimal contact.
2. The attacker has long nails and the injury might just be a scratch from long nails as he tries to grab the neck of the player.
3. The player over reacted and the extent of the injury doesn't correlate with the actually injury.

But lets all condemn the act, I dont think this can happen in EPL without consequences. We should stop behaving like people in banana Republic, Nigeria professional league should be competing with EPL as a professional league.

And there goes Nana falling down. A member of his club staff followed him, and the club general manager as well, but guess what? Where is the pitch invader? Ohh, maybe he has a magic cloak we guess


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjWKK2G9CM?si=rLMR8Vi0sprRH3gq

And there goes Nana falling down. A member of his club staff followed him, and the club general manager as well, but guess what? Where is the pitch invader? Ohh, maybe he has a magic clock we guess https://t.co/EAsRwulf3i pic.twitter.com/62uDIRq2AZ

— Katsina United (@katsinaunited) November 9, 2025

I Am Feeling Better After Receiving Treatment from Our Club Medical Team – Nana Abraham

Speaking to the club’s media department Nana said "Thank God I am feeling better right now, our medical team did their best in treating my injuries.”

It is so unfortunate to see a professional team devise evil ways of spreading fake news on social media; these videos show accounts of what exactly transpired. and how his teammates were shielding the same player from the camera as fake bandages fell off. Shame!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JWnLZmYAr0?si=G2HZLp1xCivxe4TT


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_VVqy8ICo?si=JaIW7lRWDRckAQNr


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjWKK2G9CM?si=rLMR8Vi0sprRH3gq


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDA9W3idFg?si=TLO4TtX2KTLKD-oU