Benin History & Research Centre in Diaspora

Today, April 5th, 2026, I attended the Easter parade in downtown Toronto alongside Mayor Olivia Chow. I was accompanied by Iryn Omorogiuwa, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy. It was an excellent day spent with the Mayor's team at the parade!

We had the privilege of meeting the Member of Provincial Parliament, Mohamed Firin, in York South-Weston, Toronto. This visit stemmed from our commitment to supporting vulnerable community members across the City of Toronto, particularly in addressing the challenges related to access to affordable housing. Advocating for these community members at the governmental level is important, especially through the lens of female leadership. Although there have been significant strides in the representation of women in politics over the past few decades, they continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles globally. In celebration of this year's International Women's Day, we encourage more women to participate in politics and civic engagement across Canada, urging their active involvement at all levels of government. - By Nekpen Obasogie

  On February 4th, 2026, I had the privilege of joining Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with notable political leaders and members of the Black community in Ottawa, to celebrate Black History Month. This year's theme is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations - From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries." It focuses on recognizing the contributions, leadership, and resilience of Black Canadians, while reflecting upon their past, present, and future. Among the esteemed guests were Hon. Jean Augustine, the first Black female Member of Parliament in Canada and a pivotal figure in establishing Black History Month in the country; Hon. Ahmed Hussen; Hon. Shafqat Ali; Hon. Marjorie Michel, Member of Parliament and Minister of Health of Canada; Greg Fergus, the first Black Speaker of the House of Commons; and many others. Click on the link below to watch the Prime Minister's speech on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch...

We have finalized the logo of the Edo Cultural Heritage Commission in North America. The launch is set for August 14, 2026, at Toronto City Hall. This is a tentative schedule; the date is subject to change.  The Heritage Commission aims to facilitate a range of programs and collaborative partnerships within the dynamic art sectors of Canada, the United States, and Nigeria. These efforts will promote cross-cultural exchange and enhance the cultural heritage of the Edo people worldwide. To support this initiative, please contact us: Website: edoheritagecommission.org  -  Email: edolanguageworldwide2023@gmail.com Stay tuned for our next program! ~ By Nekpen Obasogie

Our passion for Benin/Edo culture and art inspired us to establish the Edo Cultural Heritage Commission in North America. This significant initiative will facilitate a range of programs and collaborative partnerships within the dynamic art sectors of Canada, the United States, and Nigeria. These efforts will promote cross-cultural exchange and enhance the cultural heritage of Edo people worldwide. To support this initiative, please contact us: Website: edoheritagecommission.org  Email: edolanguageworldwide2023@gmail.com Stay tuned for our next program! ~ By Nekpen Obasogie

The Benin Summit Group (BSG), Committee for Diaspora Activities!  The Benin Summit Group Committee for Diaspora Activities is committed to uniting the descendants of Benin in the diaspora. Some of our key objectives include: 1. Represent the Benin Summit in international diaspora communities. 2. Establish and nurture relationships with diaspora groups, organizations, and individuals. 3. Promote the objectives and activities of the Benin Summit on a global scale. 4. Identify and mobilize various resources (financial, human, or technical) from diaspora communities. 5. Provide policy recommendations and insights from a diaspora perspective. 6. Act as a bridge between the Benin Summit and the diaspora communities, facilitating constructive dialogue and collaboration. 7. Engage actively with diaspora organizations and individuals. 8. Advocate for the interests of the Benin Summit and its stakeholders. 9.  Organize training sessions, workshops, or webinars to enhance diaspora engage...