Benin History & Research Centre in Diaspora

 Pre-Edo Language Day program and Ibota starts on Friday May 31st on NEBO TV. Everyone is invited to join us.  The program is scheduled for every Friday evening 4pm Eastern time - 9pm Nigerian time.  Call +14372655276 to be a guest on the program.  The 2024 Edo Language Day Worldwide will take place in Toronto (Canada), and Edo State simultaneously on August 10th & 13th, 2024. The in-person (main) event is scheduled for August 10th in Edo State and Toronto, Canada. The ceremony of Edo Language Day will be hosted on August 13th, 2024 online worldwide. Website: edolanguageworldwide.org Email: edolanguage2023@gmail.com.

The Organizing Committee of Edo Language Day Worldwide is ecstatic to announce the schedule of the 2024 Edo Language Day (second edition) Celebration with the theme “T he Renaissance of Ẹdo Indigenous Languages.”   The program aims to revive Edo Indigenous language and dialects worldwide, and the three senatorial districts of Edo State, including Esan, Afemai, Ora, Etsako, and other Indigenous dialects.  This year’s program in Toronto would be hosted by the Nigerian Canadian Multicultural Centre in partnership with OISE/University of Toronto on August 10th & 13th, 2024.  The main event will take place on August 10th, 2024 at  252 Bloor Street West, ON, M5S 1V6, OISE Auditorium,   OISE/University of Toronto . 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm  The event will be held in-person on August 10th in Toronto and Edo State and virtually (online) in Toronto on August 13th worldwide. To be hosted in six locations this year: Toronto (Canada) Benin City, Auchi, Okpella, Ekpoma, and Ososo (Edo State, Nigeria)

The Return of Two Bronze Stools of Ọba Ẹsigie and Ọba Eresọyẹn to the Benin Kingdom. We celebrate our joy of the return of any of the stolen artefacts by the British invaders. All the artefacts in Benin and Ife were done by the same artisans of Igodomigodo, and Benin. As the base remained at Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn. And for the honour and reverence to the continuity of the lineage, such was accorded to Oduduwa in Ife when the whereabouts of Ekaladerhan was revealed as the Oduduwa in Ife. It was after the British subjugation of Benin in 1897 that the reverence and honour being accorded to the Ọghẹnẹ N'Uhẹ became altered to the superiority claim of the Yoruba under the false pretense of having Oduduwa as progenitor in 1100AD for the Yoruba. How can a stranger and migrant to Ife in 1100AD become a progenitor over the existing people in Ugboland and with five, six and seven theories of origin? Benin-Ife connections have nothing to do with the entire Yoruba linguistic identity or group. Their ge

  Following restitution of a cockerel sculpture by Jesus College, the University of Aberdeen becomes the first UK institution to return looted Benin bronze to Nigeria in 2021. Every Benin artifact looted by the British from the palace of Benin in 1897 has a unique history. This cock was used to record a symbolic event that occurred in Benin during the travails of Ekaladerhan in the ancient times. When Ekaladerhan later known as Oduduwa was to be killed because of a particular problem, the executioners had mercy on him and let him go never to return to Benin again. To report at the palace of Oba that he has been killed, they had to kill a cock and rub the blood on their knife. He left Ughoton for Idah, and later Uhe/Ife area in Kogi state where Pa Idu used to visit when he was alive. After his exile and subsequent return to Benin, and the story told, a bronze image of the cock (Okhokhuo in Benin language) was made to keep the history alive forever. Here is the cock. https://www.theartn

Our maiden event, International Museum Day, was successfully hosted in Toronto this year. Some of our programs include the unveiling of a popular piece of Benin bronze, Idia Mask, artifacts exhibition and other activities.  This year's event focuses on re-enacting African ancient civilization, and unravelling the impact of colonial power on African cultural artifacts during the colonial era. Hosted by Nekpen Obasogie

Have you ever attended a well-grounded Benin Traditional Naming Ceremony? We attended the naming ceremony of Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi's grandson in New York on April 27, 2024. It was awesome! The full video is available on the NEBO TV YouTube channel!

The Committee Members of Edo Language Day Worldwide made a historic visit to Dr. Patricia Fadaka-Igbinovia on April 28th, 2024 in New York. I was privileged to present an award and my second book to her. It was a delightful moment, as I honored a prominent Edo woman who has contributed immensely to the development of Edo State. She served in different capacities in the state, including Commissioner, High School Principal, and other positions before emigrating to the United States where she later acquired her Doctorate  degree . The Edo Language Day Committee Members in attendance include: Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi, Mr. Isaac Oviasogie and his wife, Rita, Prince Ephraim B.O Nwabuokei and I.  ~~By Nekpen Obasogie