Violet Osatohanmwen Obamwonyi
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Wednesday August 2nd 2023, led members of the Edo State Executive Council (EXCO) on an onsite inspection of the ongoing construction of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA) Edo, in Benin City.
The Governor who led Exco members on the guided tour of the project site, noted that the museum being the largest research facility in West Africa would attract tourists seeking to have firsthand experience of the history and rich cultural heritage of Edo people.
According to Obaseki, “We just finished the State Executive Council meeting and one item on the agenda of the meeting was the presentation done by the Executive Director of the A&K Construction which was quite impressive. Members of Exco took a decision to come and pay a physical visit, in order to observe the progress of work that is currently taking place here.
“You would agree with me that the pace of work here is quite impressive, and from the presentation, we have every reason to believe that before the middle of next year, this project would be ready”, Obaseki said.
The Governor who highlighted the significance of the project, stressed that the state can no longer depend on the revenue allocation from the national treasury, as the need to diversify the economy from being solely dependent on crude oil exploration is long overdue.
Obaseki noted: “The presentation also was quite illuminating for members of Exco, but do not forget what this is all about. First, MOWAA project is to reposition Edo State, so that we can use creative arts, culture and entertainment as a basis to diversify the economy and create jobs for young people in this country.
“We can no longer rely on revenue from oil proceeds from Abuja. We have to look inward and see what comparative advantage we have as a people and how we can leverage those advantages to create an economy that would help us grow our Gross Domestic Product (GDP); that is why this project is important.”
“Also, from the presentation we saw this morning, in terms of just direct employment of people on this facility, it would be in excess of 625 people; in terms of indirect employment, you are looking at almost 30,000 people that would be employed as a result of this infrastructure we are building”, Obaseki added.
The Governor while noting that the facility aids collaboration with institutions across the world, also stated that the facility would have a trio-function of serving as a research, storage and display facility.
“We have collaborations that already exist. We have made arrangement with some of the best institutions of the world like Oxford University, Yale University. These are various institutions collaborating with this museum”, Obaseki said.
Governor Obaseki revealed that the project which is part of the cultural district would incorporate all stakeholders in art and culture both in the state and across the globe.
The Governor said: “The bronze casters have stake because this is going to be a research facility. So, some of the works that would come in might need referrals. We need to understand the date of these materials and understand why these materials are the way they are. For visitors, this is part of the cultural district and the cultural district would extend to those bronze casting grid areas, wood craving grid and some other grids. So there is going to be strong connection between this facility and the community around us.”
In attendance for the project inspection was the Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., Commissioners for; Ministry of Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, Ministry of Education, Joan Osa-Oviawe, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo JP, Ministry of Mining and Energy, Enaholo Ojiefo, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Adaze Aguele-Kalu, Ministry of Roads & Bridges, Ethan Osaze Uzamere; Managing Director, Edo State Information and Communication Technology Agency(ICTA), Goodluck Igbinedion; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie; Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategy, Policy, Projects and Performance Management, Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun, amongst others.
