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Edo State has entered what officials are now describing as a “new dawn of harmony, heritage and global opportunity,” following the historic courtesy visit of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, at the Festival Hall of Government House on Friday, November 7, 2025.

The event, packed with traditional rulers, senior government officials, political leaders and citizens, has instantly become a symbolic turning point — one that industry watchers say may very likely redefine Edo’s cultural diplomacy, tourism economy, and investment brand positioning in the international space.

Speaking moments after the visit, the Director General of the Edo State Tourism Agency, Lady Vivian Elabor, described the moment as a global statement and a commercial signal to the world that Edo is back and ready for serious business.

“This signifies unity, collaboration, and that Edo State is ready for business for the international world, the national world, and of course our state at large,” she said.

Lady Elabor credited the atmosphere of unity to Governor Okpebholo’s humility and inclusive leadership style, noting that the governor “is a man that respects culture and heritage and doesn’t take it for granted.”

Museum Controversy Ends — It Is Now Officially Benin Royal Museum

The visit also produced the biggest policy resolution yet on one of Edo’s most contentious cultural heritage issues in recent memory: the identity and destiny of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

Oba Ewuare II publicly clarified the project’s origins, stating categorically that it was always meant to be the Benin Royal Museum, and that global institutions recognise it as such.

The Oba expressed support for those who resisted the MOWAA rebranding and urged the Edo State House of Assembly to continue its investigations.

Governor Okpebholo responded on the spot with a decisive and historic confirmation:

“The issue of the Museum of West African Art is over. It was a birthday gift to Your Majesty. It will be restored as such.”

He further pledged to present the matter directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure Federal backing for the Benin Royal Museum project.

Oba Ewuare II: “Akpakomiza” Praises Governor’s Performance

The Monarch also hailed Governor Okpebholo as Akpakomiza — a divinely chosen leader — commending him for several landmark interventions in less than a year, including:

restoration of the statutory allocation of the Benin Traditional Council

return of the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre

improvements in security and infrastructure

“Edo Is Ready for the World”

Lady Elabor says the moment marks the official rebirth of Edo’s tourism agenda:

“We are all about culture. We are all about heritage. We are all about doing business in a serious manner. We are not playing. Edo is ready for the world. Are you ready for us?”

With controversy now resolved, the Edo Tourism Agency is set to aggressively position the Benin Royal Museum as the nucleus of cultural tourism branding — and to project Edo’s unique identity as a global centre of pre-colonial civilization, art, power and excellence.

A New Chapter Begins

Friday’s royal visit — the third of such in recent times — ended with prayers for unity, peace and sustainable prosperity for Edo State.

Analysts say this singular moment may prove to be the most consequential cultural-policy turning point since the return of the bronzes debate — and may finally place Edo back where it once was:

At the centre of global cultural discourse — not as an artifact source — but as a sovereign curator of its own heritage.

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