Oba of Benin, Gov Obaseki to grace Edo Day in Italy

Dignitaries including the Oba of Benin and Governor Godwin Obaseki expected in Rome as Edo indigenes in Italy gather to celebrate Edo Day 2019.

The Edo State Cultural Association, an organization of indigenes of Edo State resident in Italy, will hold its annual Edo Day in Rome on 29 September.

The festival will celebrate the culture of Edo people, including art, folklore, drama and dances.

The event will also recognize and award some “deserving Edo sons and daughters” for their contributions to the Edo community, their home state and society at large.

Edo Day and Award Night will host prominent special guests of honour, such as HRM Oba Ewuare Ogidigan II, the traditional ruler of the Edo people, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, a lawmaker representing Ovia Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, and Hon. Osazee Osemwengie Ero, Commissioner for Art & Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affair.

Others expected include Eric Osayande, the Executive Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Osagie Utetenegiabi.

Among the personalities nominated for award is Barry Igbeare, a consultant to the Italian government and the European Union on immigration. He’s been nominated for the Merit of Leadership Award in Diaspora.

Billed to perform at the event are Europe-based artists like MC Asernal, MC Okiekie and others. Nollywood actor Nosa Obaseki will be a guest speaker at the event.

Edo State, known as the Heart of the Nation, is one of Nigeria’s 36 federal states.

Benin City, the capital of the state, has a glorious history of being one of the centres of the major political kingdoms in pre-colonial Africa.  

Raphael Adenaike

• Edo Day & Award Night
• Date: Sunday, 29 September 2019
• Venue: Via Gioacchino Rossini 5, Valle Martella Roma, Italy
• Contact to organisers: +393358421948
• Email: edostateculturalassociation@gmail.com