A  BRIEF HISTORY OF BENIN CLUB OF MASSACHUSETTS

The Benin Club of Massachusetts, the first of it’s kind in Boston, was founded in June 1986.The formation of the club was to have a forum to discuss the welfare of the Binis in America and abroad. It became imperative to have a platform to assume our responsibilities to our people, especially at that time, when Nigeria was passing through a political and economical phase that was hindering her advancement.

Although we are non-partisan, we feel the obligation to intervene on behalf of our people whenever there’s a need. We also wanted an avenue to promote and foster our very rich cultural heritage here in America.

The initial name given to the club was Bini Club of Massachusetts. Soon after its registration, the Oba of Benin was notified of its existence during the visit to Benin of the Club’s first President, Alhaji Muhammed Osaruyi Ighile. It was during that visit that the Oba advised that the name be changed to Benin Club of Massachusetts. The reason being “Bini” will only limit membership to Binis, whereas “Benin” will include other Edo speaking people. It is proper to state that indeed, the early membership represented a cross section of the population of Edo land.

The Club is a registered non-profit organization with the state of Massachusetts. and a member of the Edo National Association (ENA). The objectives of the Club include the enhancement of our socio-economical development and the promotion of our cultural heritage among other things. Membership is open to all Bini sons and daughters, by either birth or marriage.

Since its inauguration in the mid 80s, the Club has executed many projects both in America and abroad. The Club sponsored one Ms. Jane Ohuimumwen, who needed immediate surgery to remove a tumor that was growing on her neck. The club has provided accommodation for some of our indigenes that have been displaced. A Benin based cultural group, Igodomigodo led by Osemewngie Ebohon was sponsored in 1990 on a cultural exhibition to the United States. The Club played a key role in the formation of the Edo National Association, whose annual convention has become very popular among the indigenes of Edo State of Nigeria.

We organize forums from time to time especially for our youths, where they are exposed to our cultural values and ethics. We empower our youths, because they are the leaders of tomorrow. This will be particularly seen in the Boston ENA 2008 convention.

Recently, the club formally embarked on a new project, working to enhance the quality of lives of people with developmental disabilities in Edo State and Nigeria at large.

The pioneer President of the club is Alhaji Muhammed Osaruyi Ighile followed by, President Mr. Michael Enoma and then President Mrs. Osaigbovo Osazuwa, who then passed it on to President Mr. Paul Osemwenkhai. The fifth and current President is Mr. Frank Osarenkhoe Ero.