…Launches Digital Benin Project
By Isaac Aimurie
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has pledged to sustain the momentum of governance to deliver on the promises he made to Edo people.
Obaseki made the pledge on Sunday in Benin City during the thanksgiving service of the 6th Alaghodaro Summit with the theme: ‘More Than Conquerors.’
Expressing gratitude to God for the inspirations that have translated to the people-focused policies and programs of his administration, Obaseki said: “Thank God again and again for having seen us through these six years.
“After today we are beginning to wind down our administration but there is still so much to do in the next two years than we have done in the last six years, we have to sustain the momentum.”
He assured that despite the tough times that Nigerians are currently going through, there is need to be hopeful, adding that “God has a purpose for us, things may be tough, Nigeria is at a turning point.”
He added that Edo is blessed and has a lot to offer the world, which he said explains the growing number of people that fly into the State daily for socio-economic transactions.
The thanksgiving service which featured Bible reading and praise and worship sessions, was presided over by Christian leaders such as Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude of the New Covenant Gospel Church, Bishop Orinname Oyonnude Kure of the Evidence of the Gospel Church and Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State chapter, and Apostle Dr. Gordon Osagiede, amongst others.
From the thanksgiving service, the Governor proceeded to the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage to formally launch the Digital Benin Project, a website on which the over 5000 Benin works spread across the world can be viewed.
The digital Benin platform has a collection of historical photographs, information about Benin royal artifacts looted from the Benin Empire by the colonialists in 1897, and other aspects of the Benin culture.
A visibly elated Obaseki said: “I can’t tell you how excited I am today with my friends and friends of Edo, to be here to launch this project. The digital Benin project did not start today. We have to thank our friends from the Benin Dialogue Group that facilitated the realization of the project and our foreign partners.
“I am so glad and fulfilled that we now have a digital record of the over 5000 Edo works spread across the world.”
He assured that the Benin Royal Museum, the Edo Museum of West African Arts (EMOWAA) will be built while the existing Benin Museum at Ring Road will be revamped in the Benin Cultural District to properly position Edo’s heritage objects for the world to see and learn from.
