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Bendel Insurance FC continued their impressive start to the 2026/27 Euromatch NPFL campaign, roaring to a thrilling 4- 2 victory over Kun Khalifat FC at the iconic Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City. Bendel Insurance 4-2 Kun Khalifat The Benin Arsenal wasted little time announcing their intentions, with Alex Oweiyalefa heading home the opener in the fifth minute before Suraju Lawal doubled the advantage in the 19th minute, setting the tone for a dominant first half display. Insurance came out firing after the interval, with Chinedu Nwosu striking almost immediately after the restart to make it 3-0 in the 46th minute, further extending their control over the match. Kun Khalifat missed a penalty before eventually converting another spot kick to pull one back, but the home side refused to surrender their dominance, with Nwosu completing his brace in the 66th minute to restore Insurance’s three goal advantage. The visitors grabbed a late second goal to add some respectability to the scoreline, but Insurance held firm to seal a convincing win that sent their supporters into wild celebrations at the final whistle. Reacting to the victory through his Media Aide, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon Amadin Desmond Enabulele, hailed the team for what he described as a powerful statement of intent, commending the management, technical crew led by Coach Kennedy Boboye, and the players for their determination and attacking quality. Enabulele particularly praised Oweiyalefa, Lawal and Nwosu for their goals, saying the performance demonstrated growing confidence within the squad and reflected renewed ambition to restore Bendel Insurance to its rightful position among Nigeria’s leading clubs. He urged the team to remain focused, disciplined and consistent, declaring that the Benin Insurance FC are roaring again and calling on players to keep the winning fire burning while encouraging fans to continue turning out in support of the team, especially at home matches. Following the win, Bendel Insurance moved to third position on the NPFL table with six points from three matches, behind leaders Doma United and Barau FC, bouncing back strongly after a defeat to Nasarawa United in their previous outing to keep their campaign firmly on track. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed.

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.

More than 19 million visitors have visited Al-Rawda Al-Sharif in Madinah over the past two years, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, disclosed during the opening of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum in the holy city. The three day forum brings together officials, experts and stakeholders to discuss ways of improving the experience of Umrah performers and visitors to the holy sites, featuring dialogue sessions, specialised workshops, an artificial intelligence competition focused on Umrah services and a hackathon dedicated to historical sites linked to the life of Prophet Muhammad. Al-Rabiah said the focus on artificial intelligence and innovation reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued effort to use modern technology to improve religious tourism and manage the growing number of visitors to Madinah. Al-Rawda Al-Sharif, located within the Prophet’s Mosque, remains one of the most significant sites visited by Muslims performing Umrah and those visiting the holy city, with the latest figures underscoring the scale of religious visitation and the importance of continued investment in infrastructure and visitor services. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed. Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the World Trade Organisation and the multilateral trading system, with Vice President Kashim Shettima insisting that no country can prosper in isolation from the global community. Shettima made the remarks during a meeting with the Director General of the WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, on the sidelines of the ongoing BRICS Leaders Summit in New Delhi, assuring her that Nigeria would continue to support the organisation in championing multilateralism. He described the world as one interconnected human family, stressing that no nation can divorce itself from the global community, and made a case for migration as an important driver of development, innovation and economic growth. Citing the Nigerian diaspora as an example, Shettima said Nigerians abroad have continued to distinguish themselves through education, enterprise and professional achievement, referencing a Pew Research Center analysis showing that 67 percent of Nigerian born Black immigrants in the United States aged 25 and above hold at least a bachelor’s degree, the highest proportion among major Black immigrant groups. The Vice President commended Okonjo Iweala’s leadership of the WTO, urging her to continue deploying her experience in service to global development, describing her work at the organisation as wonderful while noting she still has much to contribute. Okonjo Iweala, the first woman and first African to head the WTO, began her second four year term as Director General in September 2025. Shettima was expected to present Nigeria’s partnership and foreign investment opportunities to BRICS leaders the following day, reiterating President Tinubu’s objective of creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians through reforms and private sector led growth.

By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed. The Nigerian Air Force, through the Regiment Training Centre Annex in Bauchi, has reinforced its commitment to developing disciplined and mission ready Special Forces personnel with a substance abuse awareness lecture for trainees of Special Forces Course 14/2026. The lecture, delivered by resource persons from Headquarters 33 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, formed part of ongoing efforts to equip trainees with the physical, mental and ethical standards required for modern military operations. The sensitisation programme highlighted the dangers of substance abuse and its implications for military professionalism, educating trainees on how drug misuse can impair judgement, diminish combat readiness and compromise operational security. Trainees were also taught how substance abuse can weaken unit cohesion, underscoring the importance of discipline and responsible lifestyle choices throughout their military careers. Speaking during the event, Commandant of the Regiment Training Centre Annex, Squadron Leader Edeama Lawrence Akpan, reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to producing highly skilled and professional Special Forces operators capable of supporting national security objectives. The initiative aligns with the vision of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, to build a highly professional and combat ready force, while highlighting the value of inter service collaboration between the NAF and the Nigerian Army.