Comr. Robinson Akhenoba
One of Nigeria foremost football clubs, Bendel Insurance FC, was rebranded on Tuesday at the Government House in Benin with most of Nigeria Football executives, players and coache that made the country football a household name present.
Speaking at the event, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said his administration vision to reform sports is aimed at creating jobs and curbing restiveness among youths.
The Governor, Godwin Obaseki along side him, the Deputy Governor, Rt, Hon Philp Shaibu the Super Eagles Coach, Augustine Eguavon and the chairman of Sterling Bank, Asuen Ighodaro unveiled the new jersey of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, while Her Excellency the wife of the Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki along side, Her Excellency the wife of the Deputy Governor, Comrade (Mrs) Maryann Philip-Shaibu unveiled the Edo Queens FC jersey which has the legendary Queen Idia mask as the main attraction.
According to Obaseki, We have a keen interest to reform the sports sector in the state, and this is aimed at providing solutions to youth restiveness and unemployment. For us, sports have the potential to uplift the lives of our people and offer hope to youths who seek a better country.
Edo people are sports-loving. We will leverage this as we continue our reforms and give hope to our teeming youths. The steps made in reforming the Bendel Insurance FC will serve as reference point to drive more reforms in the sector, while appreciating the chairman of Sterling Bank Plc.
Deputy Governor, Rt, Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on his part hailed the achievements of the club, which has a reputation of producing top stars for the national team, while enlighten the success stories and optimism ahead of the season.
Shaibu added, The decision to unveiled the Bendel Insurance FC and Edo Queens new jersey is to ensure the club remain a force to contend with.
In her address, the state sports coordinator, Mrs. Sabina Chikere acknowledged the immense contribution of the state government towards sports development in the state, adding that the football teams are now position to take the world by storm.
On his part, the chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Asuen Ighodaro who was physically present at the event, commended the state government for its initiatives in repositioning Bendel Insurance FC and Edo Queens FC respectively, and appreciate the state government for partnership as the new season sponsorship to achieve more success together.
*THE JERSEY IN FOCUS:*
In partnership with Sterling Bank, Edo State Government have unveiled the Edo Queens and Bendel Insurance FC home kit for the season which challenges the orthodox surrounding the club’s traditional style.
The yellow body and sleeves with iconic green and red accents remain the clubs home team shirts. The iconic green and red accents venture on the body of the kit, with Sterling panels encasing the chest as the insurance team sponsor.
The shirt, which has collegiate yellow body and red/green stripes on the shoulders and sleeves, capped off by its traditional yellow shorts and socks will be used for their home matches respectively, While the jersey with pepper red/green body with stripes yellow on the shoulder, capped off by red/green shorts and socks with yellow stripes will be for their away matches for the new season.
*There are intricate details about this clubs:*
*QUEEN IDIA and IVORY PENDANT MASK SYMBOLISM.*
His mother Idia was the mother to Esigie who received much of the credit for the victory as political counsel, together with her mystical powers and medicinal knowledge, were viewed as critical elements of Esigie’s success on the battlefield. To reward and honor her, Esigie created a new position within the court called the iyoba, or queen mother, which gave her significant political privileges, including a separate residence with its own staff.
As mother of the king, Idia and later iyobas wielded considerable power. Until recent times, the queen mother, who bore the oba’s first son, had no other children and devoted her life to raising the future ruler of the kingdom, a role she was destined to play even before her own birth. Queen mothers were therefore viewed as instrumental to the protection and well-being of the oba and, by extension, the kingdom.
Today, the ivory pendant masks representing the iyoba during ceremonies designed to rid the kingdom of malevolent spiritual forces is now worn by the kings of Benin kingdom and also a symbol of strength to the Insurance of Benin FC and Edo Queens respectively.
*THE IVORY MASK:*
The Benin ivory mask is a miniature sculptural portrait in ivory of Idia, the first Iyoba (Queen Mother) of the 16th century Benin Empire, taking the form of a traditional African mask.
The 16th century ivory portrait of Queen Mother Idia is among the most celebrated works.
*BENDEL INSURANCE FC:*
Bendel Insurance Football Club, also known as Insurance of Benin Football Club or simply Bendel Insurance, is a soccer club based in Benin City, Nigeria. Which played in the Nigeria Professional football league. They were originally known as the Vipers of Benin. They play their home matches at the newly remodeled Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium which has a capacity of 20,000 seaters
*HISTORICAL EVENTS:*
Insurance of Benin are two times the Nigerian Premier League champions, 1973 & 1979
Three Times Nigerian FA Champions, 1972, 1978 & 1980
One time CAF Cup winner, 1994
Two times appearances for African Cup of Champions 1974 & 1980 Finalist
One time appearance in CAF confederation cup, 2005
West African Club Championship, 1993, 1994 & 1995.
*INSURANCE NOTABLE PLAYERS:*
PETER OSAZE ODEMWINGIE
AMBROSE VANZEKIN
JULIUS AGHAHOWA
ELDER SON ECHIEJILE
OLUBAYO ADEFEMI
BRIGHT OMOKARO
PETER EGHAREVBA
HENRY OGBOE
AGWO NAJI
AUSTIN EGUAVON
WILSON ORUMA
BALDWIN BAZUAYE
PIUS IKEDIA