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Senator Imasuen Kicks Off Benin Unity Cup To Foster Unity

Published

2 months ago

October 25, 2025

In a bid to foster unity and discover young talents at the grassroots, the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, on Friday launched a football tournament titled Benin Unity Football Cup.

The tournament, which will feature teams from Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode, Ovia North East, and Ovia South West, is slated to kick off on 20 November and climax on 20 December.

Speaking during the unveiling, Senator Imasuen said the project was born out of his passion for youth empowerment and the revival of football in Edo and Nigeria at large.

“This initiative is not about my position, but about helping our youths to discover their purpose,” he stated.

“Edo is overflowing with untapped talents. We must harness these opportunities so that our young people can have dignity, respect, and pride in what they do.”

The senator noted that the tournament aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the sporting vision of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, saying both leaders share a deep interest in youth development and sports as a tool for empowerment.

“Empowerment isn’t just about giving people jobs; it’s about helping them become who they are meant to be. Through sports, we can tackle unemployment, idleness, and restiveness among our youths,” Imasuen added.

Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Hon. Philip Shaibu, lauded the senator for what he described as a lofty initiative that will live beyond his tenure.

He pledged NIS’s partnership to help identify and train emerging talents through its facilities.

Shaibu also called for an audit of former sports ministers for allegedly neglecting the NIS facilities, which he said had deteriorated due to years of mismanagement.

Commending the senator, Hon. Idehen Ebomwonyi described football as “a powerful tool for unity and cultural pride,” expressing hope that the tournament would unearth new stars comparable to Julius Aghahowa and Baldwin Bazuaye, both of whom rose from Edo to national prominence.

Earlier, Chairman of the Edo Football Association, Fred Newton, also hailed the initiative as “a ground-breaking legacy,” promising that international scouts would attend the games to spot promising players for opportunities abroad.

On his part, former Commissioner for Transport and Coordinator of the Benin Unity Cup Tournament, Orobosa Omo-Ojo said: “We must commend Distinguished Senator Neda Bernards Imasuen for his visionary sponsorship and unwavering belief that empowering our young people through sports is key to building a stronger, safer, and more United Edo South.

“His support reflects true grassroots leadership—one that sees sports and other intangible talents as a unifier and a driver of human development.

“As coordinator of this initiative, I see first-hand the dreams, the discipline, and the determination football inspires. From the streets of Iyekeorhionmwon to the fields of Iyekovia and the bubbling streets of Adesogbe, Ehor and others, we will discover tomorrow’s champions—young men who only need a platform to shine. This tournament gives them that platform.”

The grand finale of the Benin Unity Football Cup will hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, with preliminary matches scheduled for Irhirhi Sports Ground and the University of Benin Sports Centre.

Winners of the competition will cart home ₦1 million, runners-up ₦700,000, third place ₦500,000, and fourth place ₦300,000. Each of the eight participating teams will also receive a full set of jerseys for 22 players, courtesy of the senator.

The Benin Unity Football Cup, conceived at the Benin Unity Summit, is expected to become an annual platform for promoting peace, sportsmanship, and youth development across Edo South.

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”