Benin Moat
The Federal Government has been called upon to take steps, within the
next few months, to reclaim and preserve the historic Benin Moat, or
face legal action in Nigerian and international courts.
The notice is contained in a petition dated January 14, sent to
President Goodluck Jonathan by the Edo United for Homeland Empowerment,
USA, in which the group drew attention to decades of painfully enduring
the government’s failure to study, conserve and restore the Benin Moat.
But the government could simply opt to give up its legal interest,
the group said. “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 honor the
greatness of our forefathers who constructed it and bequeathed it to
us.”
The group said it will take the legal action on behalf of the Edo
people as historic owners of the Moat, for violations that include
“Breach of contract, Failure to fully protect the moral and cultural
interest of the 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.”
Full text of the petition:
TO: His Excellency, Dr. G.E. Jonathan, President Federal Republic of Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria
January 14, 2013
Dear Sir,
Re: Federal Government Failure to Preserve the Benin Moat and Notice of Intent to File a 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 1970's it has been partially surveyed and analyzed 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 endeavor
known in our part of the world, as well as being the clearest evidence
for the antiquity and greatness of the civilization 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
defense, 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 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'
labor and sweat;
WHEREAS severally 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 organization, 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 interest of the 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 honor the greatness
of our forefathers who constructed it and bequeathed it to us.
Sincerely,
SIGNED
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
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
[plus 63 other signatures]
CC
His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolor Oba Erediauwa.
Senator David Mark (GCON), Nigerian Senate President.
Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, Edo State Governor.
Hon A. Tambuwal, 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 Political 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 Anthropology), African Studies Center, Boston University Boston.
Irina Bokava, UNESCO Director General, Paris, France
enclosed: map (.gif) of Benin Moat sections in the vicinity of the capital
