FROM: Edo United for Homeland Empowerment, U S A
152 Beach street, Suite 2
Revere, Massachusetts 02151
USA
January 14, 2013
TO: His Excellency, Dr. G.E. Jonathan, President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria
Dear Sir,
Re-Federal Government Failure to Preserve the Benin Moat and Notice of Intent to File Legal Action
BACKGROUND
The “Benin Moat” (iya) is the largest earthwork in the world, estimated at 10,000 miles in length and covering 2,000 square miles in area. In volume, it is surpassed only by the Great Wall of China as the largest man-made structure in human history —see http://www.csweb.bournemouth.ac.uk/africanlegacy/benin_Iya_earthworks.htm. Since the 1970s, it has been partially surveyed and analysed by famous archaeologists, including Graham Connah (“The Archaeology of Benin”, Oxford University Press, 1975) and Patrick Darling (“The Ancient Linear Earthworks of Benin and Ishan,” Cambridge Monographs in African Archaeology, 1984).
It is obvious that the Moat is the single greatest physical endeavour known in our part of the world, as well as being the clearest evidence for the antiquity and greatness of the civilisation currently known as Benin Kingdom — the most stable and respected monarchy in Africa today, and which continues to play a commendably progressive role in our political and civic life. Oral tradition says that Benin portion of the moat was originally dug by the Trojan-like men of Benin Kingdom during the reign of Oba Oguola and Oba Ewuare the Great as a means of military defence, but other sections have been scientifically dated more than a thousand years before their time. At various times the Moat has served nonmilitary functions such as regulation of taxes, trade and commerce, and possibly also flood control. Attached to this letter is a partial map reprinted from one of the books cited above, hinting at the intricate structure of this engineering marvel.
In all humility, we must admit that the Benin Moat — just like the Pyramids of Egypt and the Great Zimbabwe fort — holds from the modern mind, generations’ secrets and treasures, which now must be made to manifest the riches of its glory. As patriots we are determined not to allow this priceless heritage to disappear through irresponsibility. A decade ago, the complex was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That was a good initial step, but now, it is time to follow mere words with real actions. We regret that the Federal Republic of Nigeria has done essentially nothing to rescue this national treasure from neglect, abuse and decay. This is shocking to say about the most important historical and cultural monument within the boundaries of Nigeria.
PROBLEM
Mr. President, having painfully endured decades of government failure to study, conserve and restore the Benin Moat, we, the undersigned executive members of the Edo United for Homeland Empowerment, U S A, being dully mandated, hereby resolve and herein convey (under US Notary Public and Seal) our profound concern on this matter to you as follows.
WHEREAS other nations, blessed with less significant relics have effectively harnessed their landmarks and monuments as national symbols, the Federal government of Nigeria has ignored this greatest landmark of all;
WHEREAS the Federal Republic of Nigeria, exercising its sovereignty by national legislation declared the Benin Moat a National Monument in 1961, granted same full recognition and proclaim their intension to protect and preserve the Moat, no functional conservation plan has ever existed;
WHEREAS after surveying the inner and city walls with citations (that in which indicated the highest point of the walls to be 30 ft and the ditch to be 30 feet deep), the Federal government by the Gazette of June 1st, 1967, declared the Benin Moat a National Property; however, since then, no meaningful or substantial progress has been made to rescue the site from ongoing and accelerated destruction;
WHEREAS the Federal government Proclamation and recognition of the Moat is in itself an act of eminent domain taking over from Local Authority, the Federal Government has neither exercised due diligence nor sent accrued royalty to the various ethnic communities who were the historic owners of this monument, in compensation for our forefathers’ labour and sweat;
WHEREAS several times, the Benin people and the Edo State Government have made repeated passionate appeals to the Federal Government on the simple matter of restoring and preserving the Moat as required by legislation, regrettably, however, Benin Moat is continually collapsing with irretrievable physical damage;
WHEREAS the Moat is the authentic reflection of the Benin people, their history and identity, a symbol of ancient scientific intelligence, engineering prowess and political organisation, and a link to the past, which could anchor the future of our people;
WHEREAS our forefathers’ patriotic concern to defend their land and environment is urgently needed today;
WHEREAS cultural tourism is one of the leading sectors of economic growth across most of the world, and yet one of the least developed sectors in Nigeria;
RESOLUTION
NOW THEREFORE, Mr. President, we intend to file a complaint on behalf of the Edo people as historic owners of the Moat, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria for failure to meet its legal obligations mentioned above. The court action will take place simultaneously in Nigeria and in International Courts, for the following violations and more: breach of contract, failure to fully protect the moral and cultural interests of Edo citizens; and denial of the Benin people’s rights to benefit from the protection of cultural material interest resulting from scientific progress (as enshrined in Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), Abuse of Traditional and Cultural Heritage, for Negligent Neglect of Declared Historical Landmarks and National Monuments and finally, Dereliction of Duty and Responsibility to the Citizens.
In conclusion, Mr. President, the Federal Government has several options, which are not beyond reach. Either the Government should within the next three to four months embark on a genuine reclamation project of the Moat, or else it should formally relinquish statutory authority over and ownership of the Moat, transferring same to Edo State. Failing either of these two actions, we assure you that we will use all legal options to recover our historic property and thereby honour the greatness of our forefathers who constructed it and bequeathed it to us.
Sincerely,
Frank Ekhator (HRA) Chairman, Edo United for-Homeland Empowerment—————-, USA.
_________________________________________
Omolayo Omoruyi-Secretary General
_________________________________________
Emmanuel Okunmwendia –Treasurer
_________________________________________
Dickson Iyawe (LLB HONS) BL Chairman, Council of Presidents of Edo National Convention Worldwide (ENAW)
___________________________________________
Dr. G. Sam Edo (Ph D, Information Security) Biometric expert and Professor of Information Security Boston MA
___________________________________________
Pat Abbe (RN) Patron-Idia Ladies Club USA
___________________________________________
Aliu Otokiti-Secretary General Benin Club of Massachusetts
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Francis Edosomwan
___________________________________________
Elder Robinson Ekhator
___________________________________________
Dr.Kienuwa Obaseki, Board of Trustee, Edo Arts and Cultural Heritage Institute, Secretary General-Edo Okpamakhin Worldwide.
___________________________________________
Mrs. Bridget Ekhator
___________________________________________
Monday Adenomon
___________________________________________
CC
His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor Oba Erediauwa.
Senator David Mark (GCON)-Nigerian Senate President.
Comrade Adam Oshiohmole, Edo State Governor.
Hon A. Tambuwa, Speaker National Assembly
Rt.Hon. Uyi Igbe, Speaker Edo State House of Assembly
Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to Edo State Govt.
Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, the High Priest of Edo land
Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin
Hon. Edem Duke, the Federal Minister of Culture and Tourism
Senator Ehigie Uzamare, Senator Representing Edo South
Hon.Michael Airhuoyor, Community Activist and Former Local Govt. Supervisory Counselor for Information, Arts and Culture.
Alhaji Mohammed Ighile, Human Rights Activist, Organizing Secretary, Benin Cultural Heritage Center.
Isaac Umondiagbon Agbontean, Historian, Author of the Origin of Benin People and its Dynasty.
Prof. Friday Iyoha, Former Dean Dept of Management Science, Professor of Politico Science, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma.
Mrs. Abieyuwa Eribo, Special Adviser to Edo State Governor.
The Dean, Dept, of Archeology University OF Benin
Dr Victor Manfredi (Ph D in Archeology), Dept. of African Studies Boston University Boston.
Irina Bokava, UNESCO Director General, Paris, France
