The Great Benin Descendants (GBD), a sociocultural organisation dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Benin Kingdom, has issued a strong call for unity and cultural revival among its people.
The call was made during a stakeholder meeting held in Benin City, themed: “Unity: A Stimulus for Our Collective Greatness.”
In a 12-point communiqué read by the Coordinator General, Izoduwa Imasuen, the group underscored the need to safeguard the integrity of the Benin Kingdom and resist any attempts to cede its ancestral lands to external entities. They described such moves as provocative and pledged to take collective action against them.
Imasuen highlighted the historical hospitality of the Benin Kingdom, which has welcomed settlers for generations. However, he expressed concern that this generosity is being misconstrued as weakness, with some settlers allegedly making unjust claims to Benin lands.
The communiqué outlined resolutions aimed at fostering unity and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom. Key resolutions include:
- Language and Cultural Revitalization: The group urged legislative bodies in Edo and other states with Benin ancestry to mandate the teaching of the Edo language in schools and include it in their curricula. They also called on families to adopt Benin names for their children to strengthen cultural identity.
- Collaborative Unity: GBD pledged to work closely with other sociocultural groups from sister kingdoms with Benin ancestry, fostering solidarity through joint cultural and sporting events.
- Royal Endorsement: The group appealed to the Oba of Benin to host ethnic nationalities tracing their roots to Benin and advocate on their behalf, particularly concerning marginalization.
- Cultural Consciousness: Regular sensitisation campaigns, press briefings, and meetings were proposed to deepen awareness of the group’s heritage and unify descendants worldwide.
- Preservation of Ancestral Lands: GBD vowed to ensure that no part of Benin land is ceded under any circumstances, describing such proposals as detrimental to the Kingdom’s unity and sovereignty.
Speaking at the event, Rivers State Coordinator of GBD, Kenneth Orgwu, emphasised the importance of showcasing Benin’s cultural heritage wherever descendants reside.
He urged attendees to embrace traditional attire and customs at public events to reinforce their shared identity.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting the ideals of the Great Benin Kingdom and strengthening ties among its descendants. The group vowed to engage in continuous dialogue with traditional authorities and descendants across the country to preserve the Kingdom’s cultural legacy for future generations.
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