Benin History & Research Centre in Diaspora

On April 13, 2026, following the federal by-elections, the Liberal Party of Canada, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, secured a majority government with 174 seats. This significant achievement came after their success in three federal by-elections, as reported by CBC News and Global News. This marks a historic transition from a minority to a majority government during their term, influenced by a series of floor crossings by opposition members. The three new Members of Parliament (MPs) who won the by-elections and helped the Liberal Party achieve a majority are Tatiana Auguste, Danielle Martin, and Doly Begum. They joined the Liberal team in the House of Commons, contributing to the largest women's caucus in history.

It has come to our attention that individuals who are not of Benin heritage are currently laying claims on the Queen Idia Mask, also known as the Festac Mask in Nigeria, along with other significant cultural materials from our heritage. There are various types of Benin cultural objects circulating on the internet today. We strongly urge those without direct ancestral ties to the Benin Kingdom to refrain from making claims to our historical and cultural artifacts. It is an affront to our culture and our ancestors for outsiders to distort the rich history of our artifacts that embody the spirituality of the Benin people and their ancestors. 

  It has come to our attention that individuals who are not of Benin heritage are currently laying claims on the Queen Idia Mask, also known as the Festac Mask in Nigeria, along with other significant cultural materials from our heritage. There are various types of Benin cultural objects circulating on the internet today. We strongly urge those without direct ancestral ties to the Benin Kingdom to refrain from making claims to our historical and cultural artifacts. It is an affront to our culture and our ancestors for outsiders to distort the rich history of our artifacts that embody the spirituality of the Benin people and their ancestors. 

We are thrilled to announce our forthcoming 3-day Art Exhibition in Toronto, scheduled for April 9-11 at the Keele Community Hub. We are particularly excited to welcome one of our distinguished guests, Iryn Omorogiuwa, the Permanent Secretary of Edo State Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, who has traveled from Nigeria to join us for this event. Stay tuned for further updates! ~~~Nekpen Obasogie

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