The Nigerian Field Society

Benin Branch

HISTORY OF THE BRANCH

A search through available back issues of the Nigerian Field Journal established that the Benin Branch was first active in the 1950s, and then in the 1970s through 1980s before it went dormant. No other sources of information have been located so far.

Former Branch secretaries listed in the inside cover pages of The Nigerian Field include names like Mrs. H. Ogbe, R.J. Knowlden, Mrs. Hazel Martin, Mr. B.G. Denham, Mrs. Joan Aiwerioghene and Mrs L. Darling. We came across prominent names like Mr. A.A. Sagay, Charles Shokpeka, Dr. R. Mordi, D. Johnson with strong interest in ornithology, A.D. Skelding who gave information on the so called "curious plants of Bendel State", Justice Ighodaro and Mr. Cameron Porteous.

The Branch was resuscitated in the year 2000 by Dr. I. Ero. Activities have fully begun at the branch. These include lectures and tours. Membership of the Branch increased from 20 in December 2000 to over 40 in year 2003. Over 80% of our members is drawn from the Faculties of Agriculture and Science, University of Benin. Other members are from nearby research Institutes (Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria and Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (Benin Station), as well as Dept. of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture. The Branch membership is composed of civil servants, medical practitioners, retired public officers, students and teachers. The appearance at our meetings of some old members such as Dr. M.Otedoh, Mr. Sokpeka and Dr. M.Fowowe has helped to stimulate interest in the Society.

Dr. J.F. Bamidele
Branch Secretary.