Group Begins Construction of Arts, Archeological Pavilion in Edo

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Museum of West African Art (MOWA has begun the construction of an arts archeological pavilion in Benin City, Edo State.

The project is in collaboration with the National Council for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), German Archaeological Institute (DAI), the British Museum, Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Wessex Archaeology and the Open Society Foundation.

The Director of MOWAA Pavilion, Ore Disu, disclosed this at a news conference in Benin City, noting that the development of the pavilion was already underway, with completion scheduled for early 2024. 

When complete, Disu explained that the pavilion would host state-of-the-art storage facilities, and the best equipped labs for conservation, digital production, archaeology and applied material science in West Africa. 

She explained that the educational facility “will also provide all-year-round professional training, internships and outreach activities to sustainably grow relevant skills for heritage and creative economies.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the community. Open Day was a platform to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of archaeology in preserving cultural legacy and share some exciting new discoveries. 

“We are excited to get more cultural practitioners and residents in touch with the Pavilion’s work, which is already proving to be a dynamic space for research, education, and community outreach. None of this will be possible without our local and international partners, who are as committed as we are to serve communities in Nigeria.

“We are eager to contribute to the education and development in Edo State, MOWAA has already begun delivering programmes, three of which were showcased during the open day. The projects are in partnership with National Commission of Museums and Monuments, German Archaeological Institute (DAI), British Museum, Cambridge Archaeological Unit, Wessex Archaeology and the Open Society Foundation. 

“The event also displayed ongoing outreach activities with local schools and community stakeholders undertaken since September 2022.”

Besides, Disu reiterated that MOWAA decided to open a three-day educational fair where it provided informative tours of the future Pavilion centre and educate visitors on the benefits it will offer the city in terms of investment, jobs and educational opportunities, adding that the diverse turnout included NGOs, students, artists, artisans, community groups and curious residents.

“Representatives from the National Commission of Museum and Monuments (NCMM), Archaeological Association of Nigeria, the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and Universities of Benin and Ibadan were also in attendance”, she said.

Also speaking at the press event, Director of MOWAA Trust, Phillip Ihenacho, said “We have decided to update our brand identity to emphasise our focus. So going forward we will use the Museum of West African Art, Edo.

This signifies a new chapter for our organisation. We have already been approached by organisations in West Africa about potential collaborations. In future, we hope to establish other centres of creativity and learning across Nigeria and beyond to grow our global presence.”