Benin History & Research Centre in Diaspora

As a female custodian of Benin history and culture in diaspora (the initiator of Edo Language Day Worldwide), I assert that the Benin Kingdom is a citadel of culture due to its historical preeminence. The role Benin played in shaping the trajectory of the world in pre and post-colonial eras can never be overemphasized in Black History Month in North America. This consciousness inspired me to officiate February 8th to 15th annually as Benin History Week (BHW) under the Nigerian Canadian Multicultural Centre in Toronto.  The initiation of Benin History Week coincides with the yearly Black History Month in Canada and the United States. Thus, Benin History Week will be celebrated yearly during Black History Month in North America. I encourage all Indigenes of Edo state to join me and the Organizing Committee of Edo Language Day to celebrate the history and colorful cultural heritage of the Benin kingdom, which has survived colonial subjugation for over a century. The affluent Benin cul...

I joined my fellow students to attend the 220th anniversary of Haiti's independence held at OISE, University of Toronto, yesterday, Feb 23, 2024. The celebration was a part of Black History Month and a period dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the impact of Black people worldwide. It was an insightful event that reminded us of the history of the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism in Africa.  - Nekpen Obasogie

The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata has clinched the Labour Party (LP) ticket for the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.  Akpata scored 316 votes to win the exercise held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Friday.  The Deputy Governor of Abia State Ikechukwu Emeta declared Akpata as the winner of the election.  “I hereby declare as follows: Mr Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, having scored the highest number of votes and certified the provisions of the constitution of the party, is hereby declared the winner and the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party for the Edo State governorship election 2024,” Emeta who is also the chief returning officer for the election said.

  We are pleased to announce our schedule to join countless museums across the global to celebrate International Museum Day this year in Toronto, May 18th, 2024.  This year’s theme, “Museums, Education, and Research,” emphasizes the pivotal role of cultural institutions in providing a holistic educational experience. This day pushes for a more conscious, sustainable and inclusive world. Stay tuned for more updates!!!

This year's Edo Language Day Worldwide event has been scheduled for August 10th & 13th, 2024. The main event in Toronto will be hosted on August 10th at the University of Toronto, OISE Auditorium. Stay tuned for more updates. For further questions, please email us at edolanguage2023@gmail.com and visit our website at edolanguageworldwide.org.

  Nekpen Obasogie has been invited to contribute to Canada’s 2024 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at a historic United Nations (UN) Summit. The 2030 Agenda is a 15-year global framework centred on the 17 SDGs, which are separate but interconnected goals, collectively calling for action by all states. The 2030 Agenda envisions a world free of poverty and hunger, with full and productive employment, access to quality education and universal health coverage, the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and an end to environmental degradation. It is universal in nature and includes an overarching principle of ensuring that no one is left behind in efforts to achieve the SDGs.

This year’s Benin History program will be hosted on February 17th, 2024 with the theme ” Exploring the History of Benin Kingdom: The Citadel of Culture and will be hosted simultaneously in Toronto (Canada) online and in-person in Benin City on February 17th, 2024 at 2:00PM Nigerian time.  The physical event will be hosted at John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City at 2:00 p.m. Nigerian time and the online event will take place in Toronto via Zoom worldwide. Join Zoom Meeting  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88519714575?pwd=TFE1RW9hV096bkR0Q1EzOGVnWlJkUT09 Meeting ID: 885 1971 4575 Passcode: f8P9Zj A prominent female custodian of Edo language and culture in diaspora, Lady Nekpen Obasogie has proclaimed February 8th – 15th annually as “Benin History Week” on NEBO TV Canada. This proclamation according to Obasogie, coincides with the Annual Black History Month in the United State and Canada. Lady Nekpen, who is also the Initiator and Global Coordinator of Edo Language D...

  Happy birthday to a Benin prolific actor, dancer, song writer and singer, Pa Felix Eghianruwa Omoruyi.  Pa Omoruyi is one of the song writers contracted to write a song in honour of the then President of Nigeria Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliu Shagari by the National Theatre Troupe. Pa Omoruyi was also one of the six members from Uyiedo Theatre Troupe to join the National Dance Ensemble to represent Nigeria in Congo Brazzaville in 1996. As part of his theatre travails, which he started with Esigie Cultural Group in 1968, Pa Omoruyi has also performed with the famous Ebohon Cultural Center Theatre Troupe and travelled with the Troupe to perform the now famous Igodomigodo in the USA in 1989.  Thank you for your contribution to the development of Benin kingdom. I wish you happy birthday and many more years of celebration, baba! 

Happy birthday to a Benin prolific actor, dancer, song writer and singer, Pa Felix Eghianruwa Omoruyi.  Pa Omoruyi is one of the song writers contracted to write a song in honour of the then President of Nigeria Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliu Shagari by the National Theatre Troupe. Pa Omoruyi was also one of the six members from Uyiedo Theatre Troupe to join the National Dance Ensemble to represent Nigeria in Congo Brazzaville in 1996. As part of his theatre travails, which he started with Esigie Cultural Group in 1968, Pa Omoruyi has also performed with the famous Ebohon Cultural Center Theatre Troupe and travelled with the Troupe to perform the now famous Igodomigodo in the USA in 1989.  Thank you for your contribution to the development of Benin kingdom. I wish you happy birthday and many more years of celebration, baba! 

Nekpen Obasogie  (the CEO of NEBO TV)  has proclaimed February 8th - 15th annually as  "Benin History Week"  on NEBO TV. This declaration coincides with the annual Black History Month in the United States and Canada. Since 2021, NEBO TV has incorporated the Benin history program into Black History Month. In February 2024, Nekpen Obasogie finally pronounced and officiated Benin History Week as an annual program under NEBO TV. This year's program will start on February 17, 2024, with the theme  "Exploring the History of Benin Kingdom: The Citadel of Culture"  and will be hosted simultaneously in Benin City and Toronto (Canada) online and in-person on February 17, 2024. The physical event will be hosted at John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City and online worldwide in Toronto. The Organizing Committee of Edo Language Day is hosting this year's program. To register for the event, please email us at nebotvnews@gmail.com. 

History was made in the Edo State Association of Nigerians in Canada (ESANIC) as Evelyn Osazuwa, a 54-year-old grandmother, became the first female elected president of the association on December 3, 2023. Evelyn emerged as the first female president of ESANIC, an association that has existed for more than 30 years. She has been a member of the association for over 25 years and has served the community in different capacities before being elected president in 2023. The full magazine would be available on Amazon soon! To advertise your business or article with us, please contact NEBO TV at nebotvnews@gmail.com