Benin History & Research Centre in Diaspora

A Germany based fashionista Joy Looks absolutely stunning in all her fashion presentations! This shows how many modern African women in the diaspora are setting the standard higher for themselves and their families, through social and academic activities. 

Ambassador Dion Osagie is a native born of  the great kingdom of Benin  and the founder and president of a charity organization called "Godsent Foundation". He has recently become the hope for many Edo people who have been craving to receive a true messiah in the land. He stood up firmly and brightly with his charity organization to transform the state to a land where the privileged groups can now join hands together to assist the less privileged. His work has inspired many people specially, Nigerians in diaspora to be charitable to their people back home. Of course, charity begins at home. Dion Osagie and his ambitious wife continue to work to eradicate extreme poverty among Edo women and children and also ensure that no child is left homeless in the state. He has used and continue to use his Random Acts of Kindness' slogan to help people specially, women with financial support, such as loans for small businesses, medical support and other social and financial assis...

“Okuku” hairdo is a symbolic and popular hairdo of the Benin people of Nigeria. This beaded hairstyle is mainly worn by the Oba's (King) wives in the palace. The origin of “Okuku” hairdo dated back to the time of “Ogiso” meaning the “Sky Kings”in the Great kingdom of Benin. Women in the Oba's palace were mediated to wear this hairstyle. They wear different styles based on their titles in the Royal harem. The queen who gave birth to the first male child -the mother of the crown prince- wears unique style. This is to differentiate her from the other wives because, she is the most special woman in the harem. However, any woman outside the royal harem can also wear this beaded hairstyle but, the styles of the Oba wives in the palace are very different from those worn by ordinary Nigerian women across the globe. The special designs of the Oba wives are only available and accessible to the queens and other women in the palace.

Beautiful Nigerian couple, Dorcas Gold and her hubby look amazing in their opulent and sparkling attires. This is evident of how two people with great sense of fashion can create and live a glamorous lifestyle. I personally see fashion as one of the most essential recreational activities anyone can adopt. It gives you self-confident and self-satisfaction in life. Thus,"dress to satisfy yourself"  

Ladies and gentlemen let's give it up for sister Doris Omorodion! She's a great inspiration to myriad young African girls out there who are struggling to define their true identity in our globalized world! It's our duty to preserve our beautiful and rich African  culture so that it will not go extinct!  

I love doing things that give me some sense of happiness in life; that's why I chose to promote women's fashion. Socially, every individual are responsible for their own happiness in life. As a woman myself, I believe in women's happiness, through the adoption of fashion. We should be conscious of the fact that life satisfaction is at the core of happiness and life satisfaction promotes longevity.  According to statistics, life expectancy is very high among people who considered themselves to be happy. Therefore, those women who embraced fashion as their source of happiness are doing it for their self-satisfaction. 

  What does it takes to be a patriotic Nigerian?  Many commentators argue that "it's the love and time your spent serving your country that defines your level of patriotism". If this is true, my tendency to promote Nigerian culture can also be deemed as an act of patriotism! Because, it takes a great Nigerian citizen to devote his/her time to represent Nigeria culturally and positively. Especially, when there are no incentives attached to the event(s). Representing the positive image of one's country is very imperative when you are in your host country or homeland. It helps to shape people's perception about any form of negative stereotype of your culture or Nationality. Our rich Nigerian culture ought to be treated with prestige so that non-Nigerians will also replicate us. There is popular proverb in Benin culture that says "when you treat your calabash lik...