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Bendel Insurance ended Rivers United’s unbeaten run in the 2026/27 Nigeria Professional Football League with a deserved victory in the Matchday 10 encounter at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Sunday. Bendel Insurance 2-1 Rivers United Freeman Wuchirwe put the hosts ahead early in the second half, Chijioke Oboama equalised for the visitors in the 82nd minute, and substitute Jonathan James snatched the winner right on 90 minutes to send the home fans into celebration. The first half was lively but goalless, with both sides cautious. Lekan Gabriel made a timely clearance in the 25th minute, and two minutes later Alex Oweilayefa forced a save from Rivers United goalkeeper Clinton Andy, before sending another effort wide in the 32nd minute. Andy was again the visitors’ saviour in the 37th minute, parrying Fatai Abdullahi’s close range shot onto the post. Insurance broke the deadlock three minutes after the restart when midfielder Wuchirwe unleashed a long range effort that Andy failed to hold, with the ball crossing the line. Kayode Oke almost doubled the lead in the 54th minute with another long range strike. Coach Kennedy Boboye made his first changes in the 66th minute, replacing Emmanuel Dung and Oke with James and Suraju Lawal, and the impact was immediate, as Lawal’s powerful shot, set up by James, hit the woodwork three minutes later. Rivers United levelled in the 82nd minute when Oboama capitalised on a defensive error to beat goalkeeper Joseph Oryia, but Insurance refused to settle for a draw, as was the case in last season’s fixture. Right on 90 minutes, James converted from Oweilayefa’s assist to seal the win. Speaking after the match, Rivers United coach Finidi George praised the hosts, admitting he knew the unbeaten run would end somewhere and that it had finally ended in Benin, commending Insurance players for their fighting spirit. Boboye commended his players and said the away wins would come, insisting the league is still fresh and that his team is getting better as they prepare for a trip to Kwara the following weekend. The result lifts Insurance to 15 points from nine games, with an outstanding fixture still to be played against Rangers International of Enugu, before they travel to Ilorin to face Kwara United next weekend. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

A public road is a shared public space. Muslims, Christians, traditionalists, atheists and agnostics all have the right to use it, and no religious group has the right to prevent others from using a major public road unnecessarily. It has been observed that in some communities, worshippers obstruct roads and cause unnecessary hardship to road users, a practice that sometimes happens around Muslim places of worship and also occurs in some Christian communities. Whether it happens more among Muslims or Christians is not the issue, the practice is wrong regardless of who does it, and in a multi religious country like Nigeria, public roads belong to all citizens irrespective of religious affiliation. A recent video showing a lady expressing anger over Muslims obstructing a road prompted this message to her and to others who may have experienced similar obstruction, whether on Fridays or during Ramadan, do not blame Islam for poor logistical planning by mosque leaders. Islam does not permit Muslims to unnecessarily obstruct public roads or cause avoidable hardship to others, since people have appointments, businesses, emergencies and livelihoods to attend to and should not be kept captive because others are worshipping, particularly those who do not even share the faith. Mosque leaders should therefore plan adequately for large congregations, and where a mosque is too small, arrangements should be made for additional space without unnecessarily blocking major public roads, particularly where road users have no reasonable alternative route. Mosques with limited space should consider expansion, while those planning new mosques should think ahead about future growth and provide adequate space for worshippers from the outset. Mosques are places of worship and roads are public infrastructure, and major public roads should not be turned into worship centres that inflict avoidable hardship on other citizens who have every right to move freely. Some non Muslims have mistakenly assumed that road obstruction during Muslim worship is a fundamental feature of Islam, but it is not. This misunderstanding has even surfaced in recent discussions around a proposed government bill on preaching in public vehicles, with some Christians citing road obstruction by Muslim worshippers as grounds for government to also restrict such practices, an argument that should not be necessary in the first place, since road obstruction is not a teaching of Islam and should not be defended simply because those involved are Muslims. At the same time, this issue should be addressed with wisdom. Fighting worshippers or verbally abusing them for road obstruction will only make matters worse, whereas polite engagement with the leaders of affected religious centres, alongside appropriate intervention by relevant authorities, can achieve far more lasting results. Muslims building new mosques should have a clear plan for future expansion from the outset, so that today’s congregation does not become tomorrow’s road obstruction. The principle remains simple, worship freely, but respect the rights of others, because no religion has a monopoly on public roads. By Abdul-Ganiyy Raji, National Da’wah Officer, NASFAT

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed Nigerian pilgrims who performed Hajj across different years have shared warm and, in some cases, tearful memories of the bonds they formed with roommates and tentmates during their spiritual journeys to Saudi Arabia, describing the relationships as unexpected gifts that outlasted the pilgrimage itself. For many of them, the experience went far beyond sharing accommodation. Strangers became close friends, business partners and, in some cases, brothers and sisters bound by a shared spiritual milestone. Ismail Ademola, who performed Hajj in 2026, said his roommates in Madinah and Makkah quickly became like lifelong companions. He shared accommodation with his father and three others, and said the group bonded as though they had known one another for years, discussing work, family and life experiences. He added that the friendship later translated into business patronage, with his roommates supporting and expressing satisfaction with his services. Aluku Bisola described her roommates as beautiful souls who remain in contact despite returning home, while Fatima Olorunkemi said her 2026 Hajj roommate became like a blood sister, with the pair still keeping in touch. Olamiposi Ademola recalled the memories as deeply emotional, saying he missed being together in Ihram and the ambience of the holy land, and prayed for the chance to return. Fateema Muhammed remembered her Hajj experience as truly amazing, recalling companions including Dr Yelwa, Dr Z and Nurse Habiba who made the journey memorable, while Ash Irt described the friendships formed during the pilgrimage as among the very best and most memorable of her life. Not every memory carried joy. Khalid Sadi recalled his roommate, Alhaji Ibrahim Siniya, who died shortly after returning from Hajj, remembering how his friend had repeatedly told him he felt close to death before collapsing weeks later. Sadi prayed for the repose of his soul. Zakari Turaki said his 2016 Hajj remains cherished, recounting how six pilgrims shared accommodation in Madinah and five in Makkah, developing a brotherly bond despite starting out as strangers. Journalist Ahmed Aisha Ambali, who covered Hajj professionally, said the assignment introduced her to colleagues including Farouk Jibrin Okpanachi, Garba Muhammadu and Usman Salifu, describing the quartet’s friendship as remarkable and strengthened by shared spiritual and professional experience. Muhammad Kabir Alhaji, who performed Hajj in 2023, said he remains in contact with his roommates and tentmates and has built lasting networks from the experience. Across the accounts, one thread stood out clearly, that for these pilgrims, the people they shared a room with in the holy land became far more than travel companions, they became gifts from Allah.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are designed to improve the quality of life of Nigerians through sustainable investments in healthcare, education and human capital development. Shettima spoke on Friday during the commissioning of the Kashim Ibrahim University Teaching Hospital and two schools in Maiduguri, Borno State, commending Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for prioritising healthcare and education in a state recovering from insurgency. The Vice President said the teaching hospital would bring specialised medical services closer to residents, reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for treatment, and strengthen medical education and research. He also stressed the importance of rebuilding schools in communities affected by insecurity, noting that education provides opportunities for children and supports long term development, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Borno’s reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts. Shettima, however, cautioned that the success of the newly commissioned facilities would depend on their ability to deliver quality healthcare and education to the people. Governor Zulum described the hospital as a major milestone in efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Borno and the wider North East, saying it would serve as a clinical training centre for medical students and other health professionals at Kashim Ibrahim University, and pledging continued investment in personnel, equipment and infrastructure. The Pro Chancellor of the university, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, and the hospital’s Governing Board Chairman, Professor Ahmed Ahidjo, welcomed the project, while Chief Medical Director Professor Ibrahim Musa Kida said the hospital’s success would depend on the quality and dedication of its personnel. The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Professor Fatima Kyari, pledged support for the accreditation of relevant medical courses at the new facility. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

The Army War College Nigeria has witnessed a formal change of command, with the outgoing Commandant, Major General Umar Alkali, handing over leadership to his successor, Major General Aminu Mohammed Umar, at a ceremony held at the College Faculty Building in Asokoro, Abuja, on October 23, 2026. In his farewell remarks, Major General Alkali thanked God for a successful tour of duty and expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the opportunity to serve, acknowledging the contributions of his predecessors, whose foundation he said made his achievements possible. He commended the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Brigadier General MC Akin Ojo, the faculty and the entire College community for their support, urging them to extend the same cooperation to the new Commandant, and expressing confidence in his successor’s capacity to take the institution to greater heights. The incoming Commandant, the eighth to lead the College, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for finding him worthy of leading the Nigerian Army’s apex institution for professional military education, pledging to build on the achievements of his predecessor and to foster a cordial and productive working relationship with the College community. Before his appointment, Major General Umar served as Deputy Chief of Civil Military Affairs at Army Headquarters, with extensive instructional experience at institutions including the Depot Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Warrant Officers Academy, where he served as Commandant, and previous roles as Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff and Commander of the Guards Brigade in Abuja. Highlights of the ceremony included the decoration of the new Commandant with the College insignia and lanyard, the signing of handing and taking over notes, the lowering of the outgoing Commandant’s flag and the hoisting of the new Commandant’s flag. The change of command marks another milestone for the institution, reaffirming its commitment to continuity in professional military education and the development of strategic level leadership within the Nigerian Army. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed