Historic Rise of Bendel Insurance Featuring Governor Obaseki-led State Government

Historic Rise of Bendel Insurance Featuring Governor Obaseki-led State Government

By Gbenga Gboyega

In the words of Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, Bendel Insurance gave a "stellar finish" to their 2022-23 season, as the Benin Arsenal capped an impressive run of form over 9 months on with the Federation Cup title.

BSNSports.com.ng reports on the role of H.E, the Governor of Edo State - Gov. Godwin Obaseki, and the Edo State Sports Commission, in the rise of the Benin Arsenal formerly known as the Vipers, from backslide.

"What a stellar finish by our boys, Bendel Insurance FC @bendelinsurance

– winning the Federation Cup after 43 years!" Governor Obaseki relished on Twitter.

"You have made us immensely proud this season and we are confident that, like our dear state, you are set for an era of national and continental dominance," he added.

Bendel Insurance as a club has come a long way in Nigeria's domestic football since its formation 51 years ago in 1972, enduring instant success in the 70s up till the early 80s, plus a brief taste in the 90s.

Bendel practically dominated on all fronts from inception, winning the Nigeria League title twice in 1973 and 1979, the Federation Cup thrice in 1972, 1978, and 1980 when they also reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

However, over two decades after, the club suffered different setbacks, from power tussles to financial crises and relegation battles.

In August 2008, the ownership crisis was settled and the Edo State government took control under the regime of Adams Oshiomhole, a development that saw the name of the club officially reverted to Bendel Insurance Football Club.

A year later, in February 2009, the team was banned from using their stadium (Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium) temporarily because it was not up to league standards.

And in March, they were one of eight teams threatened with having their participation suspended due to a backlog of debts and fines.

This was a team that produced some of the best athletes in many fields from the 1970s up to the early 1990s, and renowned Sports journalist - Olusegun Odegbami, couldn't put it any better in 2019 when he said;"I lavished well-earned encomiums, not for any recent achievements but as a nostalgic recall of a great past, the story of a once-great Nigerian Club, one of a very few clubs to have metamorphosed into an institution, a movement of the people of their part of the country."

Recall that both Edo and Delta States were the components that made up "Bendel State" when Bendel Insurance was created by Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, with the club one of the founding members of the Nigerian Premier League back in 1972.

These states, Lagos inclusive, have been measured through recent success notably at the National Sports Festival, where they ended as the top three in terms of medals at Abuja 2018.

The year 2018 will ring a sounding bell in the ears of Bendel Insurance fans as the year Coach Monday Odigie was given the mantle at the helm of affairs by the State government.

He then guided the Benin Arsenal through the Nigeria National League where they emerged as table toppers and gained promotion to the 2023 League season. The rest they say is history.

Edo State hosted the Nigeria National Sports Festival in 2020 and finished amongst the top three alongside Delta State in 1st and Bayelsa State in 3rd, with Rivers, and Lagos States completing the top 5 on the log.

Bendel Insurance has also blessed the Super Eagles of Nigeria with interesting players over the years, with the likes of Peter Odemwingie, Julius Aghahowa, and Elderson Echiéjilé, to mention but a few coming through.

In Governor Obaseki's closing remarks on social media, he congratulated the Sports Commission of the State, including fans and well-wishers.

"I congratulate the Edo State Sports Commission and all supporters and fans of Bendel Insurance FC. We brought this home!"