Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
By Idahosa Musa
Ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Edo State Government on Friday Unveiled a former Chairman of the defunct Nigeria Football Association, as Chairman of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.
The ceremony which held on Friday at the Media Centre of the Samuel Ogbemudia’s in Benin attracted sports enthusiasts, ex Nigeria internationals and legendary Coach Asien Alabi.
In his brief remarks, Tenebe, promised to change the fortune of the club by taking it to the Capital Market.
He described Football as a serious business, adding that state governments should hands off its affairs as they have nothing to do with it.
“Football is a serious business. We believe that state governments have nothing to do with football. Football is more lucrative than oil.
“We will take Bendel Insurance to the Capital Market. We know what to do. We know how to fix a lot of things.
” Bendel Insurance can buy players from outside the country. Football is money-making.”
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Desmond Enabulele, described Tenebe as a round peg in a round hole, adding that “under his leadership, our club will reach new heights.
“We have no doubt that ultimately Bendel Insurance will even dominate Africa. With his wealth of experience, the club will go to new heights.”
He praised the efforts of the former Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu, who is now the Director General (DG) of the National Institute for Sports(NIS) for his untiring efforts while he was the Chairman of the Bendel Insurance Football Club.
Veteran Coach Alabi Aisien while going down memory lane recalled that the Bendel Insurance was founded in 1969 by then Governor of the old Bendel State, General Samuel Ogbemudia.
He recalled how the club in 1973, barely four years after it was founded lifted the prestigious Challenge Cup.
Alabi described Tenebe as a man that has the vision and what it takes to lift the affairs of the club to greater heights.
