Two Canadian politicians, the First Black Female Member of Parliament in Canada, Hon. Jean Augustine has been honored with the Edo Cultural Award for her contribution to the development of Canada.
The Guardian reports that the 2024 Edo Language Day Worldwide program, with the theme of the Renaissance of Edo Indigenous Languages, was successfully organized in Canada on August 10, 2024.
The event was hosted simultaneously in six locations worldwide, namely Toronto, Auchi, Ososo, Okpella, and Ekpoma. In Toronto, the event took place at the University of Toronto and was hosted by the Nigerian Canadian Multicultural Centre, in Partnership with OISE/University of Toronto.
During the event, two Canadian politicians, the First Black Female Member of Parliament in Canada, Hon. Jean Augustine was honored with the Edo Cultural Award for her contribution to the development of Canada.
She gave a presentation on her visit to Benin City with the Prime Minister of Canada in the 1980s, when she was still a member of the parliament in Canada.
Canadian Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), David Smith, gave awards to the Committee Members of Edo Language Day Worldwide program in Toronto and appreciating their commitment to organizing this year’s program in Toronto. A program that seeks to harmonize the Edo indigenous language and amplify the cultural mosaic of Canada.
Some prominent Edo personalities present at the event were Pa Eghianruwa Ọmọruyi, Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi, and Dr. Harris Enabulele and Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana, Mr. Aghahowa Tunde Obazee, Prince Ephraim Odiakaosa Nwabuokei, Osadebamwen Oviasogie, Mrs. Adesuwa Joyce Osunde, Dr. Itohan Idumwonyi, Mrs. Rita Oviasogie, among others.
The event features two keynote speakers, Professor Uyilawa Usuanlele presented “Vbe nę Ędo na zę ya wiri rę” (Why and how spoken Ędo declined). Dr. Itohan Idumwonyi speaks on the importance of bearing native names and how it relates to our cultural identity.
The Crown Prince of Onicha Olona (Delta State), Ephraim Odiakaosa Nwabuokei, came from Washington DC, United States, to reaffirm his ancestral relationship with the Benin Kingdom.
The Global Coordinator of Edo Language Day Worldwide, Nekpen Obasogie introduced the Diary of Edo Language Day Worldwide book to the audience during the occasion and asserts that the Diary of Ẹdo Language Day stands as a testament to the persistent commitment of the Ẹdo people to preserve, promote and celebrate their linguistic heritage.
The Diary of Edo Language Day would serve as a useful and important Benin history book for the current and future generations among Edolites.
Other activities include storytelling, Edo poetry, Edo cultural fashion parade, and cultural performances