Okpebholo Under Fire As Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre Falls Into Ruin Despite Campaign Promise


By Elvis Omoregie

A socio-cultural group, Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide, has accused Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, of failing to fulfil his campaign promise to revive and restore the historic Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre in Benin City, warning that the iconic monument is gradually deteriorating into what it described as "a forest in the heart of the city."

The group, in a statement signed by its President, Iyamu Osaro Culture, Secretary General, Osayuki-Osa Benson, and Diaspora Coordinator, Monday Ohuimumwen, JP, expressed concern over the continued neglect of the facility, which it said remains one of the most significant cultural and historical assets in Edo State.

According to the group, Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre is a national monument built during the military era and subsequently donated to the Edo State Government. The centre was named in honour of the late Oba Akenzua II and has long served as a symbol of Benin heritage and cultural identity.

The organisation recalled that during the administration of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the cultural centre was leased to the Benin Palace for an initial period of 30 years, a move aimed at preserving and promoting the state's rich cultural heritage.

However, the group alleged that the lease arrangement was later terminated by the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki, creating uncertainty over the management and future of the facility.

Aiguobasinmwin Movement Worldwide further stated that during the 2024 governorship campaign, Governor Okpebholo pledged to rehabilitate the centre and restore it to the Palace under the original lease arrangement approved during the Oshiomhole administration.

"Unfortunately, nearly two years after that promise was made, there has been no visible effort towards the revival of the cultural centre. Instead, the facility is gradually becoming overgrown and abandoned, raising serious concerns about the preservation of our cultural heritage," the group said.

The movement described the current state of the monument as unacceptable, arguing that the continued deterioration of the centre undermines efforts to promote tourism, cultural education and economic opportunities linked to heritage assets in Edo State.

It warned that allowing such an important cultural landmark to decay could diminish the historical legacy of the Benin Kingdom and weaken the state's position as a major cultural tourism destination in Nigeria.

The group therefore called on Governor Okpebholo to honour his campaign commitment by initiating immediate rehabilitation works and facilitating the return of the facility to the Palace in line with the arrangement it said was originally approved.

"We urge Governor Monday Okpebholo to fulfil one of the promises he made to us during the 2024 governorship election regarding the revival of Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre. This is not merely a political promise but a responsibility towards preserving our history, culture and identity for future generations," the statement added.

The appeal comes amid growing calls from cultural stakeholders for increased investment in heritage preservation and tourism infrastructure across Edo State.

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