Reps Dey Probe Foreign Interest For Edo Museum

Di House of Representatives on Tuesday don start investigation into di establishment, funding, and governance of di Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) for Benin City, Edo State. Di move follow concerns say di new cultural complex fit dey under arrangements wey dey give too much power to foreign and private interests. One recent exhibition for di museum turn gbege as protesters invade di venue, wey force di police to rescue foreign envoys wey dey attend. Di probe dey important as Nigeria dey receive historic batches of repatriated Benin Bronzes from international museums, intensifying scrutiny over di permanent home for dia priceless artifacts.

Di House order di probe after dem adopt motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Esosa Iyawe and co-sponsored by six Edo lawmakers including Julius Ihonvbere, Peter Akpatason, Billy Osawaru, Omosede Igbinedion, Marcus Onobun, and Okojie Odianosen. Iyawe warn say di museum wey suppose be premier West African cultural hub no suppose turn “backdoor for foreign entities to control Nigeria cultural property.” Iyawe talk say credible reports show say di ownership and governance framework of MOWAA fit dey give private or foreign interests too much influence, wey dey against Nigeria sovereignty over her cultural patrimony. Lawmakers raise concerns about di museum’s legal status, donor agreements, tax waivers, and land allocations. Ihonvbere insist say transparency dey crucial, warning say Nigeria cultural assets no fit dey traded off as “development support.” Omosede Igbinedion complain say traditional institutions, including di Palace of di Oba of Benin, dey sidelined. Marcus Onobun add say unclear funding and governance fit cause conflict of interest and exploitation. Di probe come as Nigeria dey continue di restitution of Benin Bronzes, with di Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy recently receive two items from Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Nigeria don collect at least 285 Benin Bronzes from U.S., Netherlands, and UK Horniman Museum in di past eight years, all symbolically handed over under supervision of high chiefs representing di Oba of Benin.