WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE NIGERIA COORDINATOR, ORGANISATION OF GREAT BENIN KINGDOM WORLDWIDE (OGBK), MRS. ESTHER EDEBIRI EMESHILI
All Protocols duly observed.
On behalf of OGBK, Nigeria, I want to heartily welcome the President, Engr. Isaac Igbinosun, all members of OGBK worldwide and our invited and distinguished Guests to OGBK Conference/Launching 2023 been hosted by the Nigeria Branch, which is the Mother Branch.
We are indeed honoured having you all here with us today. From the time it was announced that the Conference will take place in Nigeria, we have been working round the clock to see that it becomes a great success and today, it is a reality and seeing everyone, we welcome you all, especially Members who traveled from outside Nigeria to be here and all our Special Guests.
This Conference is very important to us in the OGBK Family and especially been hosted here in Benin City, the land of our forefathers. Also, this year Conference is going to open a new page for our great Organisation considering all that has been lined up for the year. It is no doubts that OGBK Worldwide is committed to the preservation of our cultural heritage and we as a people of like minds will continue to follow the lead of our Royal Fathers in sustaining our customs and traditions.
I want to thank our President for his fatherly role and excellent leadership, for bringing us together to promote our rich cultural heritage. We also thank our First Lady, Mrs. Stella Igbinosun, a great mother to the OGBK family.
Special thanks go to the Conference Organizing and Fundraising Committee for their selfless service and dedication in making sure this is happening today. It would not have been possible without you all. You all have shown how dear OGBK is to your hearts and your good works will be rewarded.
I want to use this means to plead with all OGBK members home and abroad to be more committed to what we stand for. A tree does not make a forest. With unity, we will achieve so much. Let us join hands with our President and Executive Council Members to see to the growth of our Organisation by doing all that is expected of us.
Lastly, as we continue with the Conference today, let us relax and enjoy all that has been lined up, enjoy every moment and know that this day is and will remain a remarkable day in OGBK family. Once again, thank you everyone for your participation and God bless you all.
Oba gha tokpere…Iseeee
Thank you all
Mrs. Esther Edebiri Emeshili
OGBK Nigeria Coordinator
AN ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, ENGR. ISAAC IGBINOSUN AT THE CONFERENCE/LAUNCHING 2023 OF ORGANISATION OF GREAT BENIN KINGDOM WORLDWIDE (OGBK) ON THE 14TH, JANUARY, 2023 AT BADEN-BADEN HOTEL, SAPELE ROAD, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
Our Royal Father, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, Oba of Benin, The Royal Father of the Day, His Royal Highness, Felix Omorodion, the Enogie of Evbohuan, The Chairman of the day, His Excellency, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion, former Governor of Edo State, Prince Bamidele Obaitan, Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, all Special Guests of Honour, Guests of Honour, Members of the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom Worldwide, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is indeed a great delight to welcome you all to this auspicious and epoch-making event in the history of the Great Benin Kingdom. Before I proceed to elaborate on the main reason for our convergence today, permit me to quickly relay to our guests a brief history of our Organisation, what we represent and hope to achieve, as well as to point out a few things we have done since the inception of this rather young Organisation.
The Organization of Great Benin Kingdom Worldwide was set up primarily as a machinery for the promotion and sustenance of the enviable heritage and values for which Benin is historically and globally renowned. The Organisation seeks to bring together reputable Sons and Daughters of Benin Kingdom who cherish this heritage and who are prepared to commit their time and other resources to ensure that the pride of Benin and of the people of Benin is re-established, sustained and promoted; this having become absolutely necessary in this present age of globalisation and its attendant consequences on a peoples’ history, identity and culture. It was in this regard that after months of intense meetings and consultation with various stakeholders in Benin City, Europe and America, on the 3rd of November 2018, the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom was born. As at today, the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom is fully registered in Europe and in Nigeria and boasts of an expanding membership of enterprising Sons and Daughters of Benin spread across Nigeria, Europe, the Americas, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. Being a global assemblage of Sons and Daughters of ‘Idu’- an appellation that encompasses all people, tribes and cultures that owe their ancestry to Edo, we shall by the same token stand as a bastion and a veritable umbrella association with the purpose of collaborating with and integrating efforts by other entities that share our ideals and objectives of the promotion of Edo heritage.
OGBK is essentially a socio-cultural organization and we shall strive to bring the children of Igodomigodo together in unity, brotherliness and mutual respect to confront and address the social ills, as well as some of the economic and developmental challenges which Benin Kingdom is currently grappling with. We shall also engage in regular cultural awareness and promotional and enlightenment initiatives by which we seek to amplify and propagate the positivity and richness of Benin history, values, art and its great people. There is no gainsaying the fact that Edo is the hub of art, sports, education, innovation and tourism in Africa and OGBK is committed to ensuring that Benin’s pride of place is restored and maintained in this regard. These objectives are very dear to our heart and we have lined up a variety of initiatives and programmes geared towards achieving them in the coming years. At this point, may I state very clearly that the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom as a body is, and shall always remain politically neutral, religiously accommodating and socially accepting of all the children of Igodomigodo who are proud of their heritage and ancestry.
The Organization of Great Benin Kingdom has established a strong and active presence in the online and mainstream media, and shall host yearly conferences in different countries of the world in order to establish the identity, propagate the legacy and create positive footprints of the Kingdom of Benin in all corners of the earth – all these being done, while not forgetting our roots, because as they say, charity must always begin at home. To accomplish this enormous but absolutely necessary task to which we have voluntarily committed ourselves, the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom seeks the blessings of our Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, The Oba Of Benin Kingdom, as we recognise him as our Grand Patron. We are confident that his fatherly prayers and guidance will be our strength.
Moving forward in this year 2023, OGBK is making plans to have a building of her own, where we shall be opening an office in Benin City, which shall be the OGBK Secretariat and liaison office in Nigeria. As soon as the Secretariat is established and functional, we shall embark on skills acquisition programmes, investment and developmental projects that will foster educational and economic opportunities for our people. Our immediate focus will be investment in agro-allied ventures, the provision of academic scholarships, training institution and grants to our children based on need and academic performance, and the promotion of Edo language and history in our primary and secondary schools.
It is worthy to note that OGBK participated actively and prominently in the 2018 Edo Festival as well as in the celebration of the Iguẹ Festival which took place in December 2018 in Benin City, where we were ably and proudly represented by delegates sent to Benin City from Europe strictly for the purpose, in collaboration with Members based in Benin City. We shall always be grateful to the former Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwengie Ero who was present, for the colourful nature and high quality of the Festival and for the warm reception and hospitality accorded our delegation to the said Festival. We look forward with enthusiasm to working with the present Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs Prince Bamidele Obaitan on activities involving our great Cultural heritage and Festivals and we want to assure you that we shall always make our presence felt at such occasions.
As I round up, permit me to also state that as part of our objective and social responsibilities, OGBK during the covid-19 pandemic that affected businesses and all aspects of our lives reached out to some families in Benin City by supporting them with palliatives to help cushion the effects the pandemic was having on them and we are very much committed to do more when the need arises.
Finally, I want to thank all OGBK members around the world who have contributed immensely towards the progress of this Organisation. Your dedication and contribution made it all a success. Special thanks also go to all the dignitaries and members here present for taking the time to honour our call. May you all be richly blessed and may Benin Kingdom and Edo State at large continue to experience peace and progress.
Oba gha to kpere….. Iseeee
Thanks,
Engr. Isaac Aibuedefe Igbinosun.
President, OGBK Worldwide
LECTURE DELIVERED BY
Prof. Mrs. Esohe Mercy Omoregbe
Dept. of Linguistics Studies, Faculty of
Arts, University of Benin, Benin City
OKE N’ALUBODE
This is an aspect of the Ẹdo mythology. Oke N’alubode is a very steep and slippery hill that leads to where “Osanobua” (God) resides. All the dead are expected to compulsorily pass through that hill to be able to get to where Osanobua is. Some are able to make it to where God is while others are not able to do so and fall by the wayside. Those who are unable to make it turn into wild animals like the cat family such as: Lion (oduma/ẹkpẹn), Tiger (atalakpa), Leopard (akpakomiza), Cheetah (obidọn) as well as other wild animals like the Elephant (eni), Bear (ogbo), Crocodile (agbaka) and others.
The condition is that those who led a wayward and questionable life never get to where God is. It is such people who fall by the wayside and turn into wild animals. Those who lived uprightly, despite the steepness and slippery nature of the hill are still able to make it to where the father is. So while on earth, some people do everything possible to live well so that they can get to where God is through Oke N’alubode. The actions of such people while on earth are guided by their awareness of the consequences of living rightly or wrongly.
MORAL LESSONS
This myth of “Oke n’alubode” is full of great moral lessons especially of caution against evil, wickedness, vanity, greed, corrupt practices and all other vices that can rob one of eternal joy and peace. This and other myths helped the people in the old Benin society to live well because they carry great lessons on how to look at life since they are based on things that most people can relate to and also use to explain man’s experiences.
Some people know the consequences of living rightly or wrongly and they tried to live well. Consequently, the people of the old Benin society lived well and peacefully with one another. The society was near perfection because they wanted to get to where the father (Osanobua) is. They didn’t want to fall in “Oke n’alubode” so that they will not turn into wild animals. That would mean eternal sorrow, damnation and condemnation for them. The old Benin society was a very cohesive one because the people were very conscious of the rules of living in the kingdom and of these lessons-packed-myths and stories from which they drew great inspiration.
The present day Benin society is greatly advised to borrow a leaf from the old Benin society against the background of Christianity whose sole essence is to get people to go to heaven – where God is. You cannot get to where God is when you are not living well here on earth because you cannot possibly eat your cake and have it back. The politicians who are fond of deceiving the people, those who are cutting lives short unnecessarily and all other categories of people with questionable characters must draw inspiration from this Ẹdo mythology.
The moral decadence in the present day Benin society can be reduced to the barest minimum if we all strive to live like the generations in the old Benin society.
Ọmwa ne ọ ma de vbe oke n’alubode ọre ọmwa ne ọ miẹ inyẹ n’ọmaa na sẹ owa
80 FACTS ABOUT BENIN KINGDOM
1. The First Storey Building in Nigeria was built at Ughoton by the Dutch in the year 1718, and it was called “The Factory”. The said building was destroyed by the British during the war against the Benins in 1897. The site of the building is still intact.
2. The Oldest Church in West-Africa was established in Great Benin Empire by the Earliest Portuguese missionaries in the 16th Century which is today known as the Holy Aruosa (Benin National Church). Pope Pius XII visited Benin and handed the church to the Oba of Benin, Oba Oreoghene in 1692AD.
3. The first Known Embassy Established in Nigeria was in Benin during the reign of Oba Esigie in the 16th century.
4. Elaba is the only Chieftaincy title in Benin Kingdom in whose presence the Oba’s Sword bearer (Omada) would ceremonially hold the Oba’s symbol of Authority (Ada) upside down
5. Oba Orhogbua is the first literate king ever recorded in the present day West-Africa.
6. Chief Ogiamien is one of the Uzama N’Ibie (Uzama Minor), the council was created by Oba Esigie.
7. The Oldest known letter written in Nigeria was by Duarte Pires instructed by Oba Esigie which was addressed to King John II, on the 20th October, 1516AD. The second oldest letter was written by Anthonio Domingo (Great-grand Son of Oba Olua) to the Pope to seek for missionary assistance in other to spread Christianity in Benin Empire in 1652AD.
8. Oba Orhogbua founded Lagos and planted a dukedom, the Obaship of Lagos (Eko).
9. Oba Orhogbua introduced the common salt from his numerous voyages to Benin Cuisine in replacement of our traditional organic salt (Obu).
10. The word Okoro means Prince in Benin and Uvbi as Princess.
11. Oba Orhogbua is the first Sailor king in the present day West-Africa.
12. They are five fighting Empire building Obas of Benin, Oba Ewuare I, Oba Ozolua, Oba Esigie, Oba Orhogbua and Oba Ehengbuda N’Obo.
13. Oba Ehengbuda was the last Oba of Benin to lead the Benin armies physically in battle.
14. Ogiso Odoligie and Oba Esigie were regarded as the redeemer kings because of their pre-ordination by God.
15. Ogiso Orriagba created the college (council) of the hereditary Uzama Chiefs.
16. The last Ogiso palace was located in the present day Ring-Road where the National museum is sited and it was called “Ogbe Ogiso”
17. Oldest ever recorded market in Africa is Ogiso (Agbado) Market dated 60BCE.
18. Ekpeye, Ogba and Iwurhuohna people of River State are children of Akalaka, a Benin warrior that migrated from Benin to found their present location during Oba Ewuare I reign.
19. Onitcha town was founded by Benin royal house who migrated during Oba Esigie reign.
20. The shortest Oba that reigned in Great Benin kingdom was Oba Ezoti (14 days) 1473-1473AD.
21. They are three usurpers to the revered Benin throne, Oba Uwaifiokun (1430-1440), Oba Ozuere (1712-713) and Oba Ogbebo (1816-1816)
22. The longest Oba that reigned in Great Benin Kingdom was Oba Akengbuda (54 years) 1750-1804AD.
23. The oldest crown prince (crown Prince Osifo) to become an Oba of great Benin was later crowned as Oba Obanosa.
24. Oba Akengbuda relocated from the palace to Ogbe N’Alaka to pave way for his son, crownPprince Osifo (Oba Obanosa) to become an Oba i.e two Oba’s in one kingdom (Benin).
25. The first ever recorded bank (Owigho) in present day West-Africa was built in Benin kingdom by Oba Eresoyen, construction started in the year 1740AD and was completed in the year 1743AD.
26. Oba Akengboi kept his hair like a Rastafarian Benin call Agbihiagha.
27. Oba Ahenkpaye was dethroned because of his selfishness and ruthlessness by chiefs of Benin Kingdom.
28. Isi Aghadahomen, corrupted as Dahommey was a name of Esan General who led Benin warriors to conquer present day republic of Benin. The country was named in 1975 after their former colonial master. Great Benin Kingdom.
29. Oba Esigie created the school of astrology (Iwoki) and was the first man to speak a foreign language (Portuguese) in Nigeria in the year 1518AD.
30. Queen Idia (Oba Esigie mother) is the first Oba’s mother to be alive to see her son becoming an Oba. That’s because traditionally, previous Crown Prince Mothers were killed before their Sons ascend the throne.
31. Oba Ewuare I conquered more than 201 towns and villages during his reign. This remarkable feat earned him the title Ewuare Ogidigan (Ewuare the great).
32. Iyase, Esogban, Eson and Osuma are referred to as the four Cardinal chiefs (Eghaevbo N’ore)
33. Since Oba Ewedo relocated the palace from Usama to Ogbe only four Oba’s were not buried at Ogbe. Hence “Aiguoba vbie Ogbe” (no one sleep at ogbe except the oba)
34. Agbodo mystically was buried at Ogbe (he is the only man to ever achieve that feat after Oba Udagbedo enacted a law of nobody aside the Oba can be interred at Ogbe quarter)
35. Great Benin kingdom has been ruled by 71 kings (documented) and 21 kings (undocumented) and two documented administrators (Evian and Agho Obaseki) and about 12 undocumented administrators
36. Ga tribe of present day Ghana migrated from Benin during Oba Udagbedo reign (1299-1334)
37. Oba Ahenzae is the youngest Oba to be crowned
38. Between Oba Ahenzae and Oba Ewuakpe, the Oba-ship was rotated amongst different branches of the royal family for six reigns.
39. Oba Akenzua I is the richest monarch that ever ruled in Benin kingdom. Hence nicknamed Akenzua N’Isonorho (Akenzua, the money raining sky).
40. Oba Ewuakpe enforced the primogeniture Law in Benin Empire, called the Atoro oath. N.B: primogeniture had started during Ogiso Orriagba but was not consistent
41. The 39 Obas in second dynasty all ruled averagely in 22 years (excluding the present Monarch)
42. Ogiso Igodo or Obagodo is the oldest king that has ever ruled Benin Kingdom across the two dynasties, he reigned for 56 years.
43. Oduduwa was the exiled crowned Prince from Benin known as Ekaladerhan, which is being purported as the progenitor of the Yoruba race.
44. The 31 Ogiso’s in the first dynasty all ruled in average of 28 years (excluding the 285 years of interregnum).
45. Prince Akennuzama rejected to be crowned as Oba of Benin instead asked the elders to crown his son Idova in his place because of his old age. Prince Idova was crowned as Oba Ewuakpe.
46. The monarch of Warri kingdom is an off shoot of the royal house of Benin kingdom founded by Prince Iginuwa, the Son of Oba Olua in the 15th century.
47. The Osemawe of Ondo was corrupted from Osemwughe, the Benin warrior who deserted Udo town, when there was war between Benin City and Udo town.
48. The word Ondo was corrupted from the town “Emwan N’Udo” (people of Udo town)
49. The world most famous mask Queen Idia mask was the face of FESTAC 77’ held in Lagos.
50. Ezomo is the last amongst the Uzama N’ihinron that was made hereditary by Oba Akenzua I.
51. The first Edaiken of Uselu is Crown Prince Kuobuyuwa, son of Oba Ewuare I.
52. The word Benin was corrupted from Ubini by the Portuguese explorer meaning “a place of heavenly pageantry and prosperity”
53. Ohen Okun, Olokun priest of Ughoton is the first known Diplomat of Nigeria origin to Europe, who was sent as a Benin ambassador by Oba Esigie in the year 1526AD, hence the first man to be exposed to western education
54. Affonso .D. Aveiro is the first ambassador from Europe to Benin and first in Nigeria.
55. Olu Atuwatse (Dom Domingo) Son of Crown Prince Ginuwa and grand Son of Oba Olua who was sent to Portugal in 1601 for advanced studies by his Grandfather, the reigning Oba. He graduated from the University of Coimbra in 1611. He is the first person to obtain a European University degree in present day Nigeria. He later married the daughter of a Portuguese noble, Dona Feirs. Their son Antonio Domingo referred to in Benin History as the Golden Skinned king, succeeded him to the throne in 1643.
56. Oba Esigie is the first King in Africa to be baptized in the year 1504AD.in Benin.
57. Oba Ozolua N’Ibaromi was the father of Alani of Idoani, Olowo of Owo, Uguan of Ora and Eze of Aboh.
58. Oba Esigie created the title of Iyoba nu’Uselu (Queen Mother of Uselu).
59. The King of Benin can in a single day make 20,000 men ready for war, and, if need be, 180,000, and because of this, he has great influence among all the surrounding peoples … His authority stretches over many cities, towns and villages. There is no King thereabouts who, in the possession of so many beautiful cities and towns, in his capital – Olfert Dapper, description of Africa, 1668.
60. According to the Guinness Book of Records (1974 edition) described the walls of Benin City and its surrounding kingdom as the world’s largest earthworks carried out prior to the mechanical era.
61. According to estimates by the New Scientists Fred pearce, Benin City’s walls were at one point “four times longer than the great wall of China, and consumed a hundred times more material than the Great Pyramid of Cheops”
62. Benin City is surrounded by massive walls dug by Oba Oguola in 13th century and Oba Ewuare I in the 15th century.
63. Great Wall of Benin extended for some 16,000km in all, in a mosaic of more than 500 interconnected settlement boundaries. They covered 6, 500sq km and were all dug by the Edo people.
64. The Great wall of Benin took an estimated 150 million hours of digging to construct, and are perhaps the largest single archaeological phenomenon on the planet.
65. Benin City is the first City to have a semblance of street lighting in the world.
66. The Portuguese were the people who called our land “Great City of Benin” because they were astonished with what they saw that the Edo people achieved centuries before any major cities in the world.
67. 1n 1691, the Portuguese ship captain Lourenco Pinto observed: “Great Benin, where the king resides, is larger than Lisbon; all the streets run straight and as far as the eyes can see.
68. In ancient times there were no doors in Great Benin because it was so secure that the people didn’t bother about doors and windows.
69. The Benins are the best bronze casters (Igun – eronmwon) in the world.
70. In the golden age, Oba Ewuare I changed Benin into a city states from a military fortress built by Ogiso.
71. Two kings were installed without a crown, Ogiso Igodo (40BC-16AD) and Oba Oranmiyan (Odolorre) 1170-1200AD.
72. The present palace has been burnt down three times, Prince Ogun who later became Oba Ewuare I, Oba Ogbebo and lastly the British military fiasco.
73. The first palace in Benin Kingdom was located at Ugbekun quarters built by Ogiso Igodo in about 40-42BC.
74. The progenitor of the Benin race is known by the earliest Benin oral documentary as “PA IDU”
75. Great Benin is known as the cradle of Black civilization and the centre of the world (Edorisiagbon).
76. Igodomigodo was the former name for what we now call “Edo land”
77. The Benin were the first to use sophisticated weapons (guns) to fight war (Idah war) in the present day Nigeria in about 501 years ago (August, 1516), the war was led by Oba Esigie mother (Queen Idia).
78. No female King has ever ruled Benin kingdom across the Two dynasties, the purported female Ogiso Emose (584-600AD) and Orrorro (600-618AD) are male kings on coronation, took over their mothers name.
79. All Oba’s in Lagos (Eko) were all buried in their ancestral home (Benin City) until late 19th century, to further lay credence to that Oba Osemwende in 1834 instructed Idewu Ojulari, the Oba of Lagos to zegbele (kill himself) the instruction was, expectedly, complied with. The Lagos Oba complied by taking poison.
80. Prior to present day civilization/infrastructural developments, ten gates/ roads historically led into Benin City. They are:
1. Akpakpava (Ikpoba) Road
2. Irhuase (Ogba).
3. Imose(Sapele).
4. Okhoro Road
5. Ughoton Road
6. Udo Road
7. Ugbor Road
8. Uhunmwun Idunmwun Road
9. Uselu (Oyesunu) Road.
10. Utantan (Esokponba) Road.
By Imasuen Amowie Izoduwa (Co-ordinator General Great Benin Descendants)
Contributors: Mr. Aiko Obobaifo, Osazee Amas-Edobor, Nathaniel Akenuwa and Oghoyemwen Joan. E.
Oba Gha Tokpere… Iseee.
Engr. Isaac Igbinosun, President of Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom Worldwide (OGBK) speech at the Organisation’s Inaugural Meeting in Toulouse, France, on Saturday July 20th, 2019.
Our Royal Father, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, Members of the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom Worldwide, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is indeed a great delight to welcome you all to this auspicious and epoch-making event in the history of the Great Benin Kingdom. Before I proceed to elaborate on the main reason for our convergence today, permit me to quickly relay to our guests a brief history of our Organisation, what we represent and hope to achieve, as well as to point out a few things we have done since the inception of this rather young Organisation.
The Organization of Great Benin Kingdom Worldwide was set up primarily as a machinery for the promotion and sustenance of the enviable heritage and values for which Benin is historically and globally renowned. The Organisation seeks to bring together reputable sons and daughters of Benin Kingdom who cherish this heritage and who are prepared to commit their time and other resources to ensure that the pride of Benin and of the people of Benin is re-established, sustained and promoted; this having become absolutely necessary in this present age of globalisation and its attendant consequences on a peoples’ history, identity and culture. It was in this regard that after months of intense meetings and consultation with various stakeholders in Benin, Europe and America, on the 3rd of November 2018, the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom was born. As at today, the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom is fully registered in Europe and in Nigeria and boasts of an expanding membership of enterprising sons and daughters of Benin spread across Nigeria, Europe, the Americas, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. Being a global assemblage of sons and daughters of ‘Idu’- an appellation that encompasses all people, tribes and cultures that owe their ancestry to Edo, we shall by the same token stand as a bastion and a veritable umbrella association with the purpose of collaborating with and integrating efforts by other entities that share our ideals and objectives of the promotion of Edo heritage.
OGBK is essentially a socio-cultural organization and we shall strive to bring the children of Igodomigodo together in unity, brotherliness and mutual respect to confront and address the social ills, as well as some of the economic and developmental challenges which Benin Kingdom is currently grappling with. We shall also engage in regular cultural awareness and promotional and enlightenment initiatives by which we seek to amplify and propagate the positivity and richness of Benin history, values, art and its great people. There is no gainsaying the fact that Edo is the hub of art, sports, education, innovation and tourism in Africa and OGBK is committed to ensuring that Benin’s pride of place is restored and maintained in this regard. These objectives are very dear to our heart and we have lined up a variety of initiatives and programmes geared towards achieving them in the coming years. At this point may I state very clearly that the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom as a body is, and shall always remain politically neutral, religiously accommodating and socially accepting of all the children of Igodomigodo who are proud of their heritage and ancestry.
The Organization of Great Benin Kingdom has established a strong and active presence in the online and mainstream media, and shall host yearly conferences in different countries of the world in order to establish the identity, propagate the legacy and create positive footprints of the Kingdom of Benin in all corners of the earth – all these being done, while not forgetting our roots, because as they say, our charity must always begin at home. To accomplish this enormous but absolutely necessary task to which we have voluntarily committed ourselves, the Organisation of Great Benin Kingdom seeks the blessings of our Father, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, The Oba Of Benin Kingdom, as we recognise him as our Grand Patron. We are confident that his fatherly prayers and guidance will be our strength.
In the next couple of months, we shall be opening an office in Benin City, which shall be the OGBK Secretariat and liaison office in Nigeria. As soon as the Secretariat is established and functional, we shall embark on investment and developmental projects that will foster educational and economic opportunities for our people. Our immediate focus will be investment in agro-allied ventures, the provision of academic scholarships and grants to our children based on need and academic performance, and the promotion of Edo language and history in our primary and secondary schools.
OGBK participated actively and prominently in the last Edo Festival as well as in the celebration of the Iguẹ Festival which took place in December 2018 in Benin City, where we were ably and proudly represented by delegates sent to Benin City strictly for the purpose. We shall always be grateful to the Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwengie Ero who was present, for the colourful nature and high quality of the Festival and for the warm reception and hospitality accorded our delegation to the said Festival. We look forward with enthusiasm to this year’s Festival and we want to assure you that we shall always make our presence felt at such occasions.
Before I close this speech, kindly permit me to enumerate some of our aims and objectives, some of which include:
1. To unite all indigenes of Great Benin Kingdom Worldwide.
2. To promote and showcase the rich Benin cultural heritage.
3. To propagate the learning and speaking of Edo language, the cultivation of our age long values and traditions, and to support research and studies on Edo history and culture.
4. To promote healthy relationship and integration by fostering cooperation and mutual understanding with all other Great Benin Associations worldwide to achieve the common goal.
5. To contribute to the cultural and socio -economic development of Great Benin Kingdom.
6. To serve, protect and defend the Benin Kingdom by preserving and retaining our heroes’ works.
7. To render charity and humanitarian support to deserving persons and groups within Benin Kingdom and worldwide.
8. To collaborate with countries and institutions in Europe, America and the rest of the world in ways that engender mutual support and benefit between Benin Kingdom and our host communities across the globe.
Finally, I want to thank all OGBK members around the world who have contributed immensely towards the progress of this Organization. Your dedication and contribution made it all a success. Special thanks also go to all the dignitaries and members here present for taking the time to honour our call. May you all be richly blessed.
Oba gha tọ kpẹ re! Isẹ!!
PROPOSED DRAFT FOR ORGANIZATION OF GREAT BENIN KINGDOM
(OGBK) NIGERIA WORLDWIDE CONFERENCE/LAUNCHING 2023
ACTIVITIES/DINNER ORGANIZING COMMITTEE PRESENTATION
ORGANIZATION OF GREAT BENIN KINGDOM (OGBK)
WORLDWIDE CONFERENCE/LAUNCHING 2023 TAGGED “EDO
CULTURE, OUR HERITAGE” AND HOSTED BY NIGERIA CHAPTER
EXPENDITURES FOR OGBK CONFERENCE 2023
ORGANISATION OF GREAT BENIN KINGDOM WORLDWIDE (OGBK) 