Apex Edo indigenous organization in the Diaspora, the Edo National Association Worldwide recently awarded scholarships to ten students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State of Nigeria to study Edo language.
The National President of the organization, with headquarters in the United States of America, Mr. Edison Oyiboke-Osifo presented the awards to the students at the Department of Linguistics before an enthusiastic and joyful audience which included the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, some other university officials and parents of the students .
Oyiboke-Osifo said the gesture was to support the study and speaking of Edo language, adding that the association had engaged in numerous developmental activities in the state, including annual medical mission, the building and donation of a park to Edo Heritage Foundation in Utekon and the donation of N4.5m to support the Godwin Obaseki-led government’s EdoBest program.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Austin Moye who received the check from Mr. Oyiboke on behalf of the students, thanked the ENAW for the kind gesture, saying that language is a vehicle of culture.
He expressed worry that languages were facing extinction and that with the advent of technology and social media it was faster to “forget our culture,” noting that this kind of gesture would help in sustaining languages.
On behalf of the students, Prof. C. U. C. Ugorji of the Department of Linguistics and Prof. V. E. Omozuwa expressed their profound gratitude and appreciations to Mr. Edison Oyiboke and the entire members of ENAW.
They prayed that the gesture will be a yearly event for the students to encourage more to study Edo language.
ENAW Cultural Director, Mr. Osagie Igbinosun, thanked the head of the department and the faculty members for the great receptions accorded the ENAW delegation. He urged the students to embrace and study Edo language with pride.
Igbinosun expressed his appreciation and thanks to everyone that made the event possible through their generous donations, including the League of Committed friends, under the leadership of Barr. Dickson Iyawe; Dr. Festus Idahosa, Mr. Friday Enoye, Dr. Scotty Izevbigie, Dr. Dickson Jesuorobo, Dr. Uyi Phillip Igbinadolor and Mrs. Dorothy Odigie.
Others include, Prof. Dickson Idusuyi, Engr. Charles Iguobadia, Prophet Charles Atoe, Mr. Robby Igodan and Mrs. Stella Ejedawe.
Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman of ENAW Medical Mission, Dr. Scotty Izevbigie said ENAW envisioned the principle of “train the trainers” so that they will go on and train others for the sustenance of the language.
Other members of the ENAW delegation at the presentation ceremony were the President of United Native Edos In Canada (UNIC), based in Toronto, Mr. Emmanuel Aigbedion and Mr. Godwin Omoruyi, Auchi Park Projects Vice Chairman.
Short drama and songs were performed by the UNIBEN students to entertain the audience. The students and their family members prayed that God will bless all the donors.
