•Arsenal fans in Benue
It was a thrilling moment yesterday for Arsenal fans in Benue State, Nigeria, when they took to the streets of Makurdi, the state capital, to celebrate the victory of the club at the English Premiership.
The fans have also organised a two-week long event to celebrate the Football club, as well as promote unity, community engagement and humanitarian outreach among fans across the state, reports Daily Independent.
The fans marched from Kenville Park, adjacent to the underpass at the high-level roundabout, moved on a parade to Ekason signature, where they had a trophy celebration and watch party, of the last match of the season, between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
They also noted that apart from the watch party, yesterday, that was coupled with drinks and barbacue, the fans said, it would hold the grand watch party on May 30, 2026.
Other programmes slated by the club include a Thanksgiving service, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Apirl, on June 7, 2026, as well as humanitarian visits to some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, where they intend to provide them with relief materials.
According to the Media Strategist, Arsenal Trophy Parade and Watch Party, Iorliam Shija, who spoke with newsmen at the event in Makurdi, “more activities are scheduled to follow, including a grand watch party on May 30, for Champions League, a thanksgiving mass at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Apir, as well as humanitarian visits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
Shija, a former aide to the immediate past Governor of Benue state, Chief Samuel Ortom, noted that the parade and watch party are only part of the activities lined up for the two-week celebration programme organised by Arsenal supporters in Benue state.
He urged Arsenal supporters to remain coordinated online and offline, participate actively in all scheduled events, and continue using the official campaign hashtag: #BenueArsenal to drive visibility and engagement throughout the celebration period.
Also speaking on the events, the State Coordinator, National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office in Benue State, Andrew Ikom, said “This is worth celebrating, because after 22 years of playing in the Premier League and all the banters we have received, the names we have been called, after 22 years, after coming second so many times, today we are number one, we want to celebrate it.
“We want the whole Benue, the whole world to feel our joy and our happiness. We have been called butlers, we have been called Netflix FC, second-class citizens, always come second. One pastor even said, if an Arsenal fans is toasting you, it’s a bad omen, because they will never get you there.
“So all those things that they have called us, we want to celebrate in a way that they will hide their face and eat their words”, he said proudly.
Ikom, also appreciated Arsenal fans in the state for the passion and love for the team, adding that the display is an indication that “we are a classy fan base.”
On his part, Vice Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Joseph Kutuh, said, “some of us are very old supporters. I’ve been supporting Arsenal since 1999, immediately, Kanu Nwankwo, joined Arsenal. I discovered that Arsene Wenger was just a wonderful coach.
“And the playing style of the club made us stick to it. So, in 2004, we won the last trophy and that was when my children were very small. Now they are all big. One is even married. So, after 22 years, there is cross-cultural pressure, because you have all the banters, people say we can’t even order a trophy (Trophy beer). That’s why we are very excited that this has happened.
“For the team members who have made us this joyful, they have written their names in gold and they will be remembered as one of the most classic teams ever. So, they have entered the book of legends in the Arsenal history.”
Furthermore, another fan of the club, Paul Tion, who is also the Makurdi local government chairman, of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said, “I’m an Arsenal supporter. I’ve been a fan of Arsenal for 35 years now.
“I grew up into the family of Arsenal and as you can see, my kids are here. I have tried to imbibe in them, mentor them to be Arsenal fans and I’m sure they will pass this to the next generation.
“Having waited for 23 years to be here today to celebrate, I’m trying to find the words to describe how I feel today. It’s something so exciting.
“It’s almost a riotous situation here (at the parade and watch party). It’s very symbolic for us because it took us 22 years to win this trophy since the time of the invisibles. So it’s something worth celebrating today”, he stated excitedly.
Some of the fans who spoke with us, including, Emmanuella Hwande, said, “We are out here to celebrate Arsenal’s victory after 22 years of nothing. Today we are so excited that we are all gathered to celebrate the victory.
Similarly, Deborah Adekaa, pointed out that “As you can see we are here to celebrate Arsenal after 22 years of waiting. I am happy. I am overwhelmed. I am so, so happy”, she screamed.
