The Edo State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has honoured Lady Nekpen Obasogie, a Canada-based Nigerian writer, by giving her the honorary Pen Award for her efforts in promoting Benin culture.
The Vice-Chairman of ANA in the state, Robinson Lawani, said choosing Lady Obasogie, the author of “Great Benin: The Alcazar of Post-Colonial Culture,” as ANA Author of the Year, was part of measures to celebrate Edo writers that have added value to the society.
“Great Benin: The Alcazar of Post-Colonial Culture” chronicles how the systems the colonialists introduced to Benin right from the first contact between the Europeans and Great Benin Kingdom in 1400 AD to the invasion by Britain towards the tail end of the 19th century in 1897 reshaped the political, economic, social, and cultural structures of Benin and its people.
An act of curiosity propelled Lady Obasogie in 2021 to start on the journey of researching the history of the Europeans and the Great Benin kingdom during the early contact in the 15th century.
According to Lawani, after a thorough search, Lady Obasogie caught the attention of the association due to her recent programme that was held in Los Angeles, United States and had Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Presidential Assistant on Diaspora Affairs and a host of other eminent Nigerians in attendance.
He said: “We beamed our searchlight throughout the world. It’s given out to those who have carved a name for themselves in this country. The award is a different one from other awards that have been given out by the association to any individual, a special one which has not been given to any individual by the association. It’s like a royal award.
“It is an award given out, irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion, to Nigerian citizens in the diaspora who have done well by using their talents to help humanity and promote Africa cultural heritage to the world through their creativity and personality.”
Lawani described her as an African writer who has advanced African cultural heritage through her creativity and writing.
Lawani also revealed that she is the author of another best-selling book of Benin folk stories, “The Life of Princess Adesuwa,” a book that has gained another global attention by presenting Benin folk stories before the international community.
He said Obasogie who is the founder of NEBO TV Canada and NEBO TV Magazine in Toronto, Canada has carved a niche for herself as the custodian of the rich Benin cultural heritage in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Lady Obasogie said Benin culture is one of the paramount and richest of all cultures in Africa and the world at large.
She added: “It’s the reason I took the bold initiative of promoting and showcasing the rich, much-talked-about Benin cultural heritage to the rest of the world. It is time for Africans to write their own stories from indigenous knowledge perspectives.”
