With President Bola Tinubu’s administration effectively underway, the likes of Kassim Afegbua, with pen for hire, are falling over themselves in anticipation of appointments and other crumbs that are likely to fall from the President’s exalted table.
While other expectants of appointments are busy lobbying and using other ways to get the attention of the National Government, Afegbua’s strategy is to hold up an innocent governor trying to do his best for his people and haul invectives at him, hoping to get thumbs up from the powers that be.
Unfortunately, this time, Afegbua has ventured into a sacred area, speaking on matters that are too exalted for him.
For Afegbua’s information, it is an outright and direct insult to all Benins and indeed Edo people, for him to even suggest that Obaseki, a Benin man, from one of the most prominent families in the Kingdom, is in contention with the Royal Palace of the revered Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin.
Although Afegbua hails from the distant suburbs of Okpella in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, it is shocking that he has not yet come to terms with the glory and magnificence of the revered Omo N’Oba N’Edo to suggest that the government led by a Benin man, whose pride derives largely from splendour of the palace, will turn around and engage in a face-off with it.
Obaseki has stated in several fora, both private and public, that the Museum for West African Arts project has nothing to do with the return of the artefacts. Rather, the government is only expressing its right to develop the art and culture sector of the state and position Edo as a leader in art renaissance in the West Africa sub-region.
The Governor has also reiterated his support for the Benin Royal Museum, which is being promoted by the Oba of Benin and has committed to ensuring that it comes to fruition once work on the project commences.
It is worth stressing that Edo is the melting pot of arts and culture in Sub-saharan Africa and no amount of museums would be too much to capture the wealth of Edo’s cultural sophistication and supremacy.
The Government welcomes the idea that the artefacts are returned to its rightful home, even as it pursues its plan of raising awareness on the cultural heritage of Edo and building consciousness about the State’s rich tradition.
MOWAA is already living up to its expectation as a centre for research and training, as it has partnered with notable international non-profits in organising open days and immersive interactive sessions with schools and other culture stakeholders in Benin City.
The governor and the Oba of Benin have maintained cordial relationship, which is reinforced by Obaseki’s stance for harmonious administration of the traditional system within the state, whether in Edo South, North or Central.
On the reports that the Governor is supposedly at loggerheads with the Oba of Benin to balkanise the old Benin kingdom, it is quite ludicrous that Afegbua is the one to make such allegations, as an interloper. The Governor has continued to push for harmonious administration of the traditional system in the State.
As for Afegbua’s response to my article regarding the purpose of his continued attacks on the Governor, my position is that he had pestered Obaseki for patronage. I stand by my comments and it is irrefutable: It is Obaseki’s refusal of his entreaties that has served as fuel for his constant attacks.
It is rather shameless of Afegbua to descend to attacking the Governor all in a bid to have the slimmest chance of being called to the President’s table. If he was indeed worth his onions, he would be considered on his merit and not have to engage in such tirade in the public glare to get noticed.
On this note, I would like to drop a word of advice for Afegbua. There are established ways to scout for appointments if you believe you merit it. He should explore such and leave the Governor who is working assiduously to change the fortunes of his people alone. He should be guided.
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*Osagie is the Special Adviser, Media Projects to the Edo State Governor.
