Nekpen Obasogie, the Global Coordinator of Edo Language Day Worldwide, leads the initiative that birthed the annual Edo Language Day Worldwide. This declaration is an important step toward preserving the Edo/Benin linguistic heritage among Edo people across the globe. Recognizing the alarming decline in the use of the Edo language, the group has designated August 13th as a day to celebrate and revitalize the language internationally.
In response to the United Nations’ reports on the gradual extinction of Indigenous languages across the globe, the need for action is evident. It is projected that by 2100, at least 50 percent of today’s spoken languages may become extinct or seriously endangered, and the Edo language is no exception. Nekpen Obasogie made the formal announcement of Edo Language Day Worldwide during the inaugural global Edo Language Seminar she organized on NEBO TV on August 13th, 2022. This initiative received the endorsement of some esteemed Benin elders and influential guests on the occasion.
