Jubilation in Benue as Thousands of Arsenal Supporters Parade Makurdi for Title Victory

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Makurdi, the Benue State capital, was filled with excitement and celebration as thousands of Arsenal supporters staged a colourful parade to mark the club’s English Premier League title victory after a 22-year wait.

The jubilant fans, dressed in red and white jerseys, waved flags and sang victory songs as they moved through major streets in the city in what many described as one of the biggest football celebrations ever witnessed in the state.
The event, tagged the Arsenal Premier League Champions Parade and Celebration, began at Kenville Park in the High Level area of Makurdi. Supporters marched through the underpass before ending at a casino where they gathered for a watch party to witness Arsenal’s final game of the season and the official trophy presentation.
Chairman of the Planning Committee, Andrew Orduen, popularly known as OD Woods, described the celebration as a reward for years of patience, loyalty and perseverance among Arsenal supporters.
Orduen, who also serves as the State Coordinator for National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office in Benue State, said Arsenal fans had endured years of mockery from rival supporters.
“Today, we have decided to gather all Arsenal fans in Benue State to celebrate this victory that is worth celebrating. After 22 years of waiting, after coming second so many times, today we are number one and we want to celebrate it,” he said.
According to him, supporters had faced different forms of banter over the years.
“We have been called buttlers, we have been called Netflix FC, second-class citizens, people that always come second. But today, we want to celebrate in a way that they will hide their faces and eat their words,” he added.
He explained that the event was organised not only to celebrate the victory but also to showcase the unity and passion among Arsenal supporters across 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,” he stated.
The celebration featured a trophy parade, music, dancing, barbecue and other entertainment activities, with a cow reportedly prepared for roasting at the venue.
“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 appreciated Arsenal players and staff for ending the club’s long wait for the league title.
“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 became an Arsenal supporter in 1999 after Nigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu joined the club.
“I discovered that Arsène Wenger was a wonderful coach and the style of football made many of us stick with the club,” he said.
Kutuh noted that the triumph carried deep emotional significance for fans who had endured years of disappointment.
“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 explained.
He commended the current squad for restoring pride to Arsenal supporters around the world.
“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,” he said.
Tion said football remained a strong unifying force capable of bringing people together beyond political, religious and 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 stated.
He revealed that activities lined up for the celebration include 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 supporters also expressed excitement over Arsenal’s victory. One of them, Emanuella Hwande, described the triumph as long overdue.
“We are out here to celebrate Arsenal’s victory after 22 years of waiting. We are so excited today,” she said.
Another supporter, Deborah Adekaa, said she was overwhelmed with joy.
“I am happy. I am overwhelmed. After 22 years of waiting, Arsenal has finally done it,” she said.
Media Strategist of the Arsenal Trophy Parade and Watch Party, Iorliam Shija, a former aide to Samuel Ortom, disclosed that the parade and watch party were only part of activities scheduled for a two-week celebration programme organised by Arsenal supporters in Benue State.
Speaking with journalists, Shija said additional activities would include a grand watch party on May 30 for the Champions League, a thanksgiving mass at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Apir, and humanitarian visits to IDP camps.
According to him, the programme is aimed not only at celebrating Arsenal’s success but also at promoting unity, community engagement and humanitarian outreach among supporters across the state.
He encouraged Arsenal fans to remain active both online and offline, participate in all scheduled activities and continue using the hashtag #BenueArsenal to boost 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.