Edo assures resolution of museum ownership dispute

The Edo State government is actively working to resolve controversies surrounding the ownership of the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA), with a presidential committee expected to deliver a final solution soon. The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilo, stated on Monday that the committee's report is nearing completion.

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Whatever challenge may exist with ownership of MOWAA itself, it need not stop our will or desire to harness the potential of the tourism master plan.

During a tourism summit in Benin City, Ikhilo emphasized the administration's commitment to updating and implementing the state's Tourism Master Plan. He stressed the importance of stakeholder involvement to ensure the tourism industry's growth, acknowledging the plan as a "wonderful job" that needs revival and potential improvement.

While challenges with MOWAA ownership persist, Ikhilo assured that these issues would not hinder efforts to harness the tourism master plan's potential. He also noted the need for daily environmental sanitation to create a lasting positive impression on tourists.

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I have seen that master plan, and it is actually a wonderful job, I have to admit, and I want to encourage the Director General of the Tourism Agency to look at how to implement or even improve upon that master plan.

Lady Vivian Elabor, Director General of the Tourism Agency, praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for his support of tourism and economic diversification. She encouraged investors to view Edo State as a land of opportunities, with the agency ready for collaboration and to foster an enabling environment.

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When it comes to the MOWAA, we are continuously looking at how to resolve that. There is a presidential committee that is already sitting and looking at it, and very soon they will bring out a report that we believe will provide a final solution to the problem.