Bonny Island Foundation (B.I.F.) USA and Canada
- Our Mission
To project Ibani cultural heritage, language and history, and foster unity and progress in the cultural development of Bonny Kingdom; To provide an avenue for the discussion of cultural issues and dissemination of important information; To raise awareness about cultural issues that are pertinent to Bonny kingdom; To promote unity and progress among the Ibani at home and abroad; To promote educational, scientific and charitable projects in Nigeria and North America; and to encourage mutual understanding between all nationalities and the Bonny Kingdom.
- Our Vision
A Bonny Kingdom defined by prosperity, united by heritage, and powered by opportunity.
- Our Values
Ethical principles
- Integrity: Adherence to moral and ethical principles, including honesty and confidentiality.
- Transparency: Being open and clear about our operations, finances, and decision-making to build public trust.
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and commitments to stakeholders, such as donors, communities, and beneficiaries.
Operational principles
- Commitment/Passion: Having a strong dedication to the organization’s mission and purpose.
- Collaboration: Working together with other organizations, partners, and community members to maximize impact.
- Innovation: Embracing creativity and new ideas to improve effectiveness and adapt to changing needs.
- Stewardship: Responsibly managing the organization’s resources, including financial, social, and environmental assets.
Human-centered principles
- Compassion/Empathy: Showing deep concern and understanding for the suffering of others.
- Respect for Diversity: Valuing all people regardless of their background, culture, or beliefs.
- Inclusivity: Ensuring all voices are heard and considered.
- Social Justice and Equity: Working to achieve fair treatment and opportunity for all people.
Impact-oriented principles
- Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in all work and programs.
- Empowerment: Helping individuals and communities develop the skills and resources needed to become self-reliant.
- Sustainability: Ensuring that our efforts and programs can be maintained over the long term, both environmentally and operationally.
On the 4th of July 2003, a meeting of some very energetic and patriotic Bonny indigenes was convened at the residence of Mr. Nengi Halliday in North Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
The Bonny traditional marriage is one of the customs that has withstood the test of time. It is still performed in Bonny today as it was in the Bonny of yore.
The BIF Board of Trustees is the governing body responsible for overseeing the organization’s vision, strategy, and accountability.
Bonny Island Foundation (B.I.F.) USA and Canada
- Our Mission
To project Ibani cultural heritage, language and history, and foster unity and progress in the cultural development of Bonny Kingdom; To provide an avenue for the discussion of cultural issues and dissemination of important information; To raise awareness about cultural issues that are pertinent to Bonny kingdom; To promote unity and progress among the Ibani at home and abroad; To promote educational, scientific and charitable projects in Nigeria and North America; and to encourage mutual understanding between all nationalities and the Bonny Kingdom.
- Our Vision
A Bonny Kingdom defined by prosperity, united by heritage, and powered by opportunity.
- Our Values
Ethical principles
- Integrity: Adherence to moral and ethical principles, including honesty and confidentiality.
- Transparency: Being open and clear about our operations, finances, and decision-making to build public trust.
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for actions and commitments to stakeholders, such as donors, communities, and beneficiaries.
Operational principles
- Commitment/Passion: Having a strong dedication to the organization’s mission and purpose.
- Collaboration: Working together with other organizations, partners, and community members to maximize impact.
- Innovation: Embracing creativity and new ideas to improve effectiveness and adapt to changing needs.
- Stewardship: Responsibly managing the organization’s resources, including financial, social, and environmental assets.
Human-centered principles
- Compassion/Empathy: Showing deep concern and understanding for the suffering of others.
- Respect for Diversity: Valuing all people regardless of their background, culture, or beliefs.
- Inclusivity: Ensuring all voices are heard and considered.
- Social Justice and Equity: Working to achieve fair treatment and opportunity for all people.
Impact-oriented principles
- Excellence: Striving for the highest quality in all work and programs.
- Empowerment: Helping individuals and communities develop the skills and resources needed to become self-reliant.
- Sustainability: Ensuring that our efforts and programs can be maintained over the long term, both environmentally and operationally.
Essence
Bonny Island Foundation (BIF) USA/Canada is a US-based not-for-profit organization that works to promote unity among ibani people, and other ethnic nationalities, and to preserve the dignity, language, cultural heritage, values, and traditions of the Ibani people. Our organization also strives to collaborate with our partners worldwide for the progress and global advancement of the Ibani people.
BIF holds annual conventions to celebrate its anniversaries, to connect with its members, other Ibani people, sister organizations, and personalities, and to showcase and promote the Ibani cultural heritage, values, and traditions.
Our foundation engages in other activities that benefit the community in Bonny, Nigeria including but not limited to providing aid and support in the form of awarding scholarships to qualified students for tertiary education, conducting periodic medical outreach programs, distributing food to widows, and indigent families, and recognizing significant figures, who have made significant contributions to the advancement of our community, such as the recent unveiling of the J.A. Green Monument at the 21st-year anniversary event in 2024. This new monument was erected by BIF, over the old one, to commemorate the life and times of Jonathan Adagogo Green (1873 -1905), the 1st Nigerian indigenous photographer of Bonny extraction.
BIF maintains a strong connection to Bonny Island, a significant cultural hub for the Ibani people in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Cultural and Religious Events
These events include our annual conventions which are held almost every year in different cities across the US, and abroad to showcase our rich cultural heritage, among others. BIF also organizes periodic regional summer picnics, and End-of-Year activities for social and cultural interactions, where members relax to enjoy our rich traditional dishes, delicacies, music and dances.
Cultural Awareness
In BIF, we acknowledge that many cultures exist, each with unique traditions, languages, and perspectives, and appreciate how cultural backgrounds influence people’s behaviors, attitudes, and interactions. We know our own cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes and how they might affect our perceptions and actions. As a result, we are sensitive to differences in how cultural variations might impact our interactions with others and have an openness to new experiences and being willing to look at things from different perspectives.
Cultural awareness helps us to adapt communication styles and prevent misunderstandings or unintentional offenses. It encourages individuals to move beyond stereotypes and make fewer assumptions based on cultural background, and fosters an environment where people feel valued and respected, regardless of their background. This helps us to build relationships in diverse settings and engender creativity.
Educational Programs
BIF continues to encourage and support educational endeavors and has to date awarded over 70 scholarships to qualified students for tertiary education in the fields of Engineering, Medicine, Law, Business anagement, Journalism, Human Resources, Accounting, just to mention a few; many of whom have already graduated from college/university.
I will like to start by expressing my gratitude to God for making this day a reality as we gather together to celebrate our 21st anniversary as an organization.
The Bonny traditional marriage is one of the customs that has withstood the test of time. It is still performed in Bonny today as it was in the Bonny of yore.
The BIF Board of Trustees is the governing body responsible for overseeing the organization’s vision, strategy, and accountability.
To project Ibani Cultural Heritage, language and history, and foster unity and progress in the cultural development of Bonny Kingdom.
