Our History
history
Our history timeline
1996
We started gathering as friends to socialize and encourage each other in our new country – Canada.
1999
We officially registered with the BC Government as a society.
2024
We launch our new website with online help and services!
1997
We decided to form an association.
1999
We officially registered with the BC Government as a society.
2006
We registered with the Government of Canada as a charity that helps new immigrants and refugees in their settlement journey in Canada.
2024
We launch our new website with online help and services!
Our history in detail
- Mr. Festus Igbinegie and Mr. David Omobowie together started the idea of Edo people
in British Columbia forming a community.
Mr. David Omobowie hosted the first meeting on April 27, 1997 and was attended by the following people: Banabas Odebisi, David Omobowie, Festus Igbinegie, Bobby Osagie, Kate Osagie, Frank Amadasun, Michael Ologhola, John Obasohan, Mr. & Mrs. Michael Aiwekhoe, Kingsley Uhunmwangho, Osakue Ukponrefe, and Moses Osakhuwomwan. -
The first executive council members that were appointed are as follows:
- John Obasohan – Executive Chairman - Banabas Odebisi – Executive Secretary -
At this initial stage, our bi-weekly meeting was just a forum for the Edo people to
get together and have fun, share ideas and share a meal together.
The money contributed towards this endeavor was given to whoever hosts the members the following month. The meeting date was later changed to the first Saturday of every month.
The first official election in the newly formed association, created some problems that resulted in more than half of the membership walking away from the association. - The Rebirth of the Association:
Bobby Osagie and Osakue Ukponrefe were instrumental in the rebirth of the association. The following members were present at the REBIRTH first meeting: David Omobowie, John Obasohan, Victor Osifo, Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Osagie, Osakue Ukponrefe, Kingsley Uhunmwangho, and Moses Osakhuwomwan. - The following members acted as executive members:
- John Obasohan – President
- Osakue Ukponrefe – Secretary
- Bobby Osagie – Treasurer - The registration process of the association was started at this time with the help
of Fabian Jumbo and Mr. Jacob Aigbe completing the process.
The following members were instrumental in drafting the first association constitution:
- Biggy Osagie (Chairman)
- Fabian Jumbo
- Lucky Aruogie. - The following members drafted the first bylaws:
- Frank Amadasun (Chairman)
- Maurice Adagbonyin
- Biggy Osagie. - The first elected executive members are as follows:
- Frank Amadasun – President
- Jacob Aigbe – Vice- President
- Osakue Ukponrefe – General Secretary
- Bobby Osagie – Treasurer
- Biggy Osagie – Financial Secretary
- Courage Johnson – Social Secretary
Mr. John Obasohan swore in the rebirth president (Mr. Frank Amadasun,) and Mr. Frank Amadasun sworn in the rest of the executive members.
Also, Mr. Frank Amadasun appointed Mr. Dennis Aigbekaen as the publicity secretary. Due the circumstances of some of the executive members.
The following people were elected at the by-election:
- Joe Ehizode – Social Secretary and later included in the publicity secretary duties.
- Mcwen Ofeimu – Provos