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The first black female Member of Parliament in Canada, Jean Augustine, has been honoured with the Edo Cultural Award for her contribution to the development of Canada. The honour came at the 2024 Edo Language Day Worldwide programme, which had as theme, Renaissance of Edo Indigenous Languages.

The event was hosted simultaneously in six locations worldwide, namely Toronto, Auchi, Ososo, Okpella and Ekpoma. In Toronto, the event held at the University of Toronto and was hosted by the Nigerian Canadian Multicultural Centre, in Partnership with OISE/University of Toronto.
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Augustine, who was honoured alongside another Canadian politician, gave a presentation on her visit to Benin City with the Prime Minister of Canada, when she was still a member of the parliament in Canada.

Canadian Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), David Smith, on his part, gave awards to the Committee Members of Edo Language Day Worldwide programme in Toronto and appreciated their commitment to organising the event.

According to him, the programme seeks to harmonise the Edo indigenous language and amplify the cultural mosaic of Canada.

Prominent Edo indigenes present at the event include, Pa Eghianruwa Ọmọruyi, Lady Aghabiomon Ogbeiwi, Dr. Harris Enabulele and Dr. Alphonsus Obayuwana. Also in attendance were Mr. Aghahowa Tunde Obazee, Osadebamwen Oviasogie, Mrs. Adesuwa Joyce Osunde, Dr. Itohan Idumwonyi, Mrs. Rita Oviasogie, among others.

The event featured two keynote speakers. They are Professor Uyilawa Usuanlele, whose paper was on ‘Vbe nę Ędo na zę ya wiri rę’ (Why and how spoken Ędo declined) while Dr. Itohan Idumwonyi spoke on the importance of bearing native names and how it relates to cultural identity.

The Crown Prince of Onicha Olona, Delta State, Ephraim Odiakaosa Nwabuokei, who was in attendance, came from Washington DC, United States, to reaffirm his ancestral relationship with the Benin Kingdom.

At the event, the Global Coordinator of Edo Language Day Worldwide, Nekpen Obasogie, unveiled the Diary of Edo Language Day Worldwide book to the audience, explaining that the diary stands as a testament to the persistent commitment of Ẹdo people to preserve, promote and celebrate their linguistic heritage.

He stated that the diary 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.
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