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Outgoing Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said the investment in the state’s creative, arts and culture sectors over the last eight years has transformed the state into a centre of excellence, repositioning the state as Africa’s arts, culture, and tourism hub.
The governor stated this on Monday when he led the former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha and former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, and other dignitaries and stakeholders to the official unveiling and preview of the Museum of West African Art Institute and Campus, in Benin.
Obaseki, addressing the diplomatic community, representatives of international museums and other stakeholders at the unveiling and preview of the MOWAA Campus, said the project, part of the state’s cultural district, holds immense employment and investment potential for the state and would be a key driver of tourism and economic growth.
He said, “Eight years ago when I assumed office, we set out a plan which was very uncertain and difficult. As we laid down our plans on how to regenerate, restore and reform our state, we did what every other government would do.
“First, we built roads, rebuilt our institutions, focused on our economy, dealt with our environment, and built infrastructure; that is what every other government does.
“But we did one thing that fewer governments would do in defining their agenda for development.
“We brought culture and took art and culture as a priority for our renaissance as a state. If you look through West Africa, I don’t think there are many places that can boast of our kind of heritage. What is key and fundamental for us is how we, through the centuries, built institutions. That is the representation of who we are, but that knowledge has been lost because it was not written down.”
He continued: “As a leader, our responsibility is to envision, visualise and create that vision of what is to be.
We know that culture holds a significant place and helps us tell our stories better.
“This project started about six years ago after a conversation and discussion with the Benin Dialogue Group on how to preserve what we have and also how to interpret to the rest of the world our culture.
“The reason why, as a government, we supported this project is because of the significant opportunities in job creation and the benefits of engaging our people in an asset like this, and what it represents.
“Eight years ago, I couldn’t boast of assembling people like this, but eight years after, the story has changed, and people now want to come to Edo State to come and see.”
Speaking on the criticism that trailed the project, Obaseki said he did not pull down a hospital for a museum but rather built a museum and a better hospital.
“I am sure you heard of the criticism that we brought down a hospital and built a museum.
“But in two days, we are going to commission one of the biggest hospitals in South-South Nigeria in Benin City.
“We didn’t pull down a hospital for a museum, but rather, we built a museum and built a better hospital.
“Today, we are commissioning projects related to culture and creativity. We just finished unveiling MOWAA as one of our biggest advantages in the state is our culture and history. Our heritage is respected and celebrated around the world.
“When people come to Edo, they want to see the cultural representation of our culture and history in the city.”
Obaseki added that the facility was part of the cultural district to provide support to artists to come into the cultural district for performances.
At the inauguration of the Edo State Film Post Production Center, Obaseki urged the people, especially youths, to play an active role in safeguarding the progress made in the state in the last eight years.
He urged them not to allow the state to go back to the dark days of underdevelopment and retrogression.
Appreciating the governor for his impactful projects across various sectors of the state’s economy over the last eight years, Ihedioha and Duke described him as a transformer who prioritised the welfare and well-being of his people.
Ihedioha noted, “Your Excellency, you have done well in the last eight years. You have led your people well.
“In terms of power, you have led the country. Today, Edo generates more power than any state in the federation. In the area of education, you have shone like a million stars. In the area of arts, culture and tourism, which is synonymous with Edo State, you have shone like a true son of the soil.
“In the area of health, we appreciate the quality of health delivery to your people and you have created wealth for your people.
“Edo is one of the most industrialised states in Nigeria by virtue of the investments you attracted as the governor of Edo State.
“You have made Edo State a tourist destination as I joined you today to unveil the MOWAA Projects, which is a classic one, and you will be remembered in years to come.
“You said you don’t want the vision of the late Samuel Ogbemudia to die. You have now immortalised his vision.”
The guests also joined in the inauguration of the Edo Film Project Residence (Edonimose) and the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub Production Centre as well as the inspection of the Radisson Hotel Project, all within the Benin metropolis.
Others at the governor’s entourage included the Edo State Deputy Governor, Marvellous Omobayo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Osaigbovo Iyoha; candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2024 governorship election, Dr Asue Ighodalo and his wife, Ifeyinwa, and the chairman of the Edo PDP, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, among others.
