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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
With pomp and fanfare, Arsenal fans in Benue State gathered in Makurdi, the state capital, to celebrate the victory of their favourite club in the English Premiership League.
Clad in red and white jerseys, waving flags and chanting victory songs, the jubilant Arsenal supporters marched the streets of Makurdi from Kenville Park, at High Level area of Makurdi, through the underpass to a casino for a watch party to witness Arsenal’s final game and the official presentation of the trophy.
Leading the fans on the road walk, the Chairman Planning Committee for the “Arsenal Premier League Champions Parade and Celebration,” Andrew Orduen, also known as OD Woods, said the celebration was a reward for years of patience, loyalty and endurance by Arsenal fans.
Orduen, who is also the State Coordinator for National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office in Benue State said supporters of the club had endured years of ridicule and mockery from rival fans.
“This worth celebrating, because after 22 years of playing in the Premier League and all the banters we have received, all the names we have been called, 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 buttlers, we have been called Netflix FC, second-class citizens, second-class citizens, people that always come second. A pastor even said if an Arsenal fans is toasting you, it’s a bad omen because they will never get you there.
“Today is the last game of the season where the trophy will be presented to Arsenal and we want to celebrate in a way that they will hide their face and eat their words.”
He explained that the celebration was designed not only to rejoice over the victory but also to showcase the unity and passion among Arsenal supporters in the state.
“We want the whole Benue and the whole world to feel our joy and happiness. This is how we unite as Arsenal fans and show our love for the beautiful game.”
The celebration featured a trophy parade, music, dancing, barbecue and entertainment, with a cow reportedly prepared for roasting at the venue. I’m t also featured a raffle draw.
“We are going to entertain ourselves and celebrate this patient and well-deserved victory. Nobody in the history of Benue State has celebrated a football victory like this before. We want to show others how it is done,” Orduen declared.
He also expressed gratitude to Arsenal players and staff for ending the club’s long wait for the league title saying “We are going to celebrate this team forever. Every player, coaching crew, kitchen staff and everybody who contributed to this success will always be remembered as the team that brought victory back to Arsenal,” he said.
Vice Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Joseph Kutuh, recalled that he began supporting Arsenal in 1999 after Nigerian football legend, Nwankwo Kanu joined the club.
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“I discovered that Arsène Wenger was a wonderful coach and the style of football made many of us stick with the club.”
Kutuh said the victory meant a lot to supporters who had endured years of disappointment and mockery. “In 2004 when Arsenal last won the league, my children were still very small. Today, one of them is married. So you can imagine the pressure and banter we have faced over the years,” he said.
He praised the current squad for restoring pride to Arsenal supporters worldwide stating that “They have written their names in gold and entered the book of legends in Arsenal history. Even those who may be leaving should continue to represent Arsenal wherever they go,” he added.
Also speaking, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman for Makurdi Local Government Area, Paul Tion, described the victory as emotional and symbolic for long-time supporters of the club.
“I have been an Arsenal supporter for about 35 years. This is something very symbolic for us because it took us 22 years to win this trophy since the days of the Invincibles.”
Tion noted that football had become a unifying force capable of bringing people together regardless of political, religious or ethnic differences, “This cuts across political divides. We are Arsenal supporters and one family. What has united us here today is Arsenal and we believe this unity can go beyond football,” he added.
He disclosed that activities lined up for the celebration included a thanksgiving service scheduled for June 7, 2026, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Apir, as well as humanitarian outreach to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
“We have set up collection centres for relief items that will be donated to IDPs. We are also taking a cow to them. These are little ways we want to impact society with the love we are sharing today,” he explained.
Some female fans who spoke during the event, Emanuella Hwande, and Deborah Adekaa, expressed excitement over Arsenal’s triumph.
Hwande described the victory as long overdue saying “We are out here to celebrate Arsenal’s victory after 22 years of waiting. We are so excited today,” while Deborah Adekaa, said she was overwhelmed with joy.
The Media Strategist of the Arsenal Trophy Parade and Watch Party, Iorliam Shija, former aide to Governor Samuel Ortom, stated that the parade and watch party are only part of the activities lined up for the two-week celebration programme organized by Arsenal supporters in Benue State.
Shija disclosed that more activities are scheduled to follow, including a grand watch party on May 30 for Champions League, among others designed not only to celebrate Arsenal’s success but also to promote unity, community engagement and humanitarian outreach among fans across the 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.
The celebrations continued into the evening as jubilant supporters danced, sang and painted Makurdi red in honour of Arsenal’s historic Premier League triumph.
