The premier web site of Edo speaking people.
Nation of people who are mostly located in the Midwestern part of Nigeria, Western Africa.
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AN ADDRESS TO WELCOME GUESTS AT THE TENTH CHIEF (DR) JACOB U. EGHAREVBA MEMORIAL
LECTURE HELD ON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2008 IN BENIN CITY, BY AIKO OBOBAIFO–
SECRETARY, INSTITUTE FOR BENIN STUDIES.
With gratitude to God for the blessed long awaited favourable environmental
conditions in
We are indeed pleased to note that this lecture is the first major project of
this Institute in the administration of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole in
The distress occasioned by past neglect of our cultural development engendered
the establishment of this Institute which has remained fledgling after being in
existence for more than 12 years.
Funding her activities has been strenuous for the Board, Members and Fellows
which makes it impossible for our projects and programmes to be executed as
articulated.
Earlier in the year, the Retreat for Edo Language Users in the Media organized
by this Institute held with the active collaboration of Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri
Foundation while Tayo Akpata Foundation has also offered to sponsor an
International Conference in June 2009 in collaboration with this Institute. We
are indeed grateful to all our benefactors and humbly appeal that more
individuals, groups and corporate organizations come to the support of the
Institute in realizing its onerous tasks. As we are all agreed on the extent of
degeneration and therefore, the huge efforts in time, energy and finances
required for regeneration, meeting objectives and executing projects would
hopefully enjoy greater patronage.
The topic for this year’s lecture significantly assumes a National and
International status and it transverses two centuries and even millennia.
Perhaps no other individual than today’s lecturer – Prof. Akin Oyebode who
specializes in the ‘Law of Treaties’ could do required level of intellectual
justice to the topic. This assertion can only be controverted at the end of the
lecture, but we know that you all present would have no choice than to concur
with our rating and confidence. Happy listening.
This Institute in the spirit of fair-play invited the British High Commissioner
to this event in August 2008 with a reminder personally delivered on 8th
October, 2008 yet the snobbish hegemonic attitude or possibly guilt, would not
allow the Institute the benefit of even simple acknowledgement of receipt of
letters let alone attendance.
Nonetheless, in our usual tradition, we have carefully selected two recipients
for this year’s award. Prefecture Apostolic Fr. Charles Zappa SMA was the most
visible Christian Religious Leader overseeing the Benin Area during the punitive
expedition of 1897. Yet in the interregnum before 1914 when the Monarchy was
restored, the integrity and essence of the Benin People’s religious worship was
protected and preserved. In contrast to the present day over ambitious,
fanatically myopic ‘Christian’ he refrained from instigating reference to
anything in African belief as “fetish”, evil and anti-Christ, but ensured that
some aspects of the peoples’ religious culture were preserved. Relics and
articles of worship were also preserved which enabled Omo N’Oba Akenzua II, of
blessed memory to re-establish the Holy Aruosa Cathedral. A big
Chief Joseph Alufa Igbinovia MON is the second recipient and his feat to earn
recognition was to drag world wide shame from
To sustain the tempo of Cultural development and advancement which we have
modestly blazed its trail, numerous programmes have been articulated for the
year 2009. These include: Workshop for Edo Language Teachers and Users,
Performing Arts Competition, International Conference / Journal, Culinary
Exhibition of Edo State’s Communities, 11th Egharevba Memorial
Lecture and Arts Exhibition.
For each of these projects, we require sponsorship, collaboration and or
cooperation, assistance and support.
Mention must at this juncture be made of such generous donors as Mr.
Victor Ogiemwonyi, MD/CEO Partnership Investment Company Limited, Dr. Osagie E.
Ehanire, Solomon Asemota Esq.,SAN, Hon. Justice P. O. Isibor, Prof. Eghosa
Osaghae and Mr. Andrew O. Ehanire, MD/CEO Ogba Zoo & Nature Park who have
jointly provided the life line for organizing this lecture.
However, in addition to physical (cash and kind) support, we advocate a new
idealism and altruism among the people of
We thank you all once again for honouring this Institute with your esteemed
presence and of course to Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, we owe our continued
loyalty and filial obedience.
Thank you all. Oba ghato, Okpere. Ise. |
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