Benin History & Research Centre in Diaspora

A Steel of Edo Culture, Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi has arrived Toronto from New York yesterday, August 8th, 2023 ahead of the Edo Language Day Worldwide. The event is schedule for August 12th and 13th, 2023.  Lady Aghabiomon is one of the Edo Elders nominated for the 2023 Edo Elders Award: a part of the Edo Language Day programs. Everyone is invited to join or follow us on our social media handles on August 12th and 13th. To attend the in-person events in Toronto and Edo State please email us at edolanguage2023@gmail.com.

The Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri has peacefully joined his ancestors after a brief illness in a private hospital in Benin City. He was 93, and would have been 94 on September 2nd, 2023.  Family members said he died at 12:20 pm “He has not been too strong and we took him to the hospital a few days ago and he died this afternoon, the family will follow the protocols for the formal announcement to be made” a family member said.  He was spotted in Benin casting his vote at the 2023 presidential election.  Rest well, great man!

 The upcoming Edo Language Day Worldwide celebration (August 12th & 13th, 2023) has captured the attention of some prominent Edo intellectuals at home and abroad. Vice Chancellors and Professors of different Universities in Edo State have pledged their attendance and support for the program. The actions toward sustaining Indigenous languages require the efforts of Indigenous peoples whose languages have been affected by this global phenomenon (the gradual extinction of Indigenous languages across the globe).  The University of Toronto is also partnering with NEBO TV to host the event in Toronto on August 12th, 2023.  We have received endorsements from several individuals and organizations since the beginning of this year.  I thank everyone who has endorsed and donated to this program so far. Wa hia ru ese! - By Nekpen Obasogie

  Nekpen Obasogie has incorporated Edo  Elders Award  into the Edo Language Day program—to be hosted on Edo Language Day Worldwide—with a maximum of six nominees annually. The award program is geared towards recognizing and honouring Edo Elders, who have contributed immensely to the development of Benin History, Culture, Education and Arts. All the 2023 nominees are required to attend the award ceremony in Toronto or Benin City on August 12th, 2023  at 252 Bloor Street, 12th floor Nexus Lodge, OISE, University of Toronto.  Any nominated Elder in Benin will be invited to receive the award at the Victor Uwiafo Creative Hub in Benin City.

The 2023  Language  Day  Worldwide would  be hosted  at the University  of Toronto, Canada. We are very excited to announce the new venue and thank OISE, University of Toronto for offering us a free space to host  the in-person event on August 12th, 2023. Congratulations to all the organizers and initiator of Edo Language Day Worldwide. The full schedule of the event would be published soon!

We are thrilled and ecstatic to publish our emblem for the 2023 Edo language Day Worldwide (designed in Benin City by Smart Osabouhien, an Indigene of the Great Benin kingdom) The 2023 Edo Language Day Worldwide is a collaborative program with  the Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, NEBO TV and Nigerian Canadian Multicultural Centre.  We have scheduled August 12th and 13th, 2023 to celebrate the event worldwide - Benin City, Canada, United States & Australia.  Click on the link to register on eventbrite   https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2023-edo-language-day-worldwide-august-12th-13th-tickets-526535350407 Contact us:  Email: edolanguage2023@gmail.com  Website: edolanguageworldwide.org Posted by Nekpen Obasogie 

The 2023 Edo Language Day Worldwide, NEBO TV,  the Edo State Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs in partnership with the University of Toronto.  We have scheduled August 12th and 13th, 2023 to celebrate the event worldwide. The in-person event would be hosted on August 12th at the University of Toronto in Canada and Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City, Nigeria.  On Sunday, August 13th (the ceremony day), the event would take place online via Zoom.  Everyone is invited to join us online to celebrate the first annual Edo Language Day Worldwide. By Nekpen Obasogie