By Newsmata
As uncertainty surrounds the fate of the Edo Museum of West African Art, (EMOWAA) sited on the grounds of the demolished over 100-year-old Central Hospital, Benin-City, Edo State, by immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, a former deputy governor of the state in the aborted Third Republic, Rev. Peter Esechie Obadan, has revealed how his principal, the then Governor John Odigie-Oyegun attempted to relocate the hospital for the building of a new Government House. Ex-Governor Odigie-Oyegun was the first civilian governor of Edo State from January 1992 to November 17, 1993.
Rev. Obadan, a chartered accountant, and a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition, (NADECO) said the former governor had also contemplated relocating the 4th Mechanised Brigade of the Nigerian Army from Central Road in the government reserved area, (GRA) to Ekenhuan Barracks in the outskirts of Benin, for the purpose of extending the Government House.
Recall that the demolition of the Central Hospital by the immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, had raised dust with the former governor being pilloried for replacing a hospital that had served the people for several decades, particularly the underprivileged, for a museum perceived to be elitist, and of no value to the mass of the people of the state.
A cultural group, Aiguobasinmwin Movement, had in a protest Thursday November 14, 2024, called for the discontinuation of the project which was prematurely commissioned by the former governor a day to the end of his tenure, and the restoration of the Central Hospital.
Convener of the group, one Iyamu Culture Osaro, and secretary, Osayuki-Osa Benson, asked Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene by revoking the certificate of occupancy (C of O) which they claimed was wrongly issued to EMOWAA.
The Pius Odubu-led All Progressives Congress Transition Committee had also while submitting its report November 11, recommended the investigation of the true ownership of EMOWAA, as well as the Ossiomo power plant and Raddisson Blu Hotel, insisting that “We deserve to know the state’s equity in these companies as the outgoing government went blank on these enquiries”.
But in an exclusive interview with Newsmata, Rev. Obadan recalled that “it was Oyegun who conceived the idea that the main hospital should be moved to that place where Lucky Igbinedion built the Stella Obasanjo Hospital down Sapele Road”.
According to him, “You know Oyegun is a planner, professionally. So, the first thing he did when he got into office was to rework the plans of Edo State. It’s such a painful thing that his administration was not allowed to last. That man had fantastic intentions, and if he had lasted even for three years, many people would have seen it”.
Suggesting that the Central Hospital and EMOWAA saga be subjected to public hearing, Obadan said “you want to find out how it came about. That is why we have the House of Assembly. I’m not even sure it went before the House of Assembly before it was demolished. Yes, I remember now, Oyegun actually wanted it moved, and he was to now extend the Government House to the place or build the Government House there. He said the Government House should be central.
“Initially, he wanted the 4th Mechanised Brigade moved to Ekehuan. He said what soldiers are looking for in town; they should all move. That issue was on, and I think the officers ran to Aikhomu (Augustus) former vice president, then and were asking him to intervene. Oyegun and I had to meet with Aikhomu and the issue was also discussed.
“He said it was difficult to expand the Edo State Government House, and that if you add the 4th Mechanised Brigade, a lot of things can be done. You can see what Obaseki did when he had problem with Philip Shaibu. He had to move the deputy Governor’s office outside the Government House which was not proper”.