AGP Executive Report

Football: Buffles du Borgou lead Benin’s Celtiis Ligue 1 after three straight wins. The U-17 side faces Ghana on Tuesday after opening its WAFU B campaign with a draw against Burkina Faso. Culture: A food and craft festival has opened in Benin City for Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary, showcasing local fashion, crafts, food, music and royal art. Returned Benin artefacts are also set to go on public display for the anniversary. Cinema: Chinazaekpere Chukwu’s debut feature, Her Daughters’ Mother, set in Benin City, will screen at London’s Film Africa festival on October 28. Music: Beninese group Gangbé Brass Band and Sergent Markus are scheduled to perform in Wales on October 16 and 17. AFRIMA’s 2027 awards applications are open until January 10, with African artists eligible to submit.

Benin City on Screen: Chinazaekpere Chukwu’s debut feature Her Daughters’ Mother, set in Benin City, has been selected for Film Africa 2026 in London. The drama explores motherhood and pressure to produce a male heir, and screens October 28. Coronation Celebrations: A food and craft festival has opened at Benin City’s Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, with local fashion, handmade goods, traditional dishes, music and royal art on display. Heritage: Returned Benin artefacts are set to go on public display during Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary, as Nigeria rejects a British Museum proposal to loan looted bronzes. Live Music: Gangbé Brass Band and Sergent Markus are scheduled to perform in Crest on October 16 and 17. Youth Football: Benin’s U-17 side faces Ghana on Tuesday in a decisive WAFU Zone B group match, with a semi-final place at stake.

African Music: AFRIMA is accepting entries in 40 categories until January 10, 2027. Beninese artist Axel Merryl featured in a category last edition, and unsigned artists can apply. Film: Chinazaekpere Chukwu’s debut feature Her Daughters’ Mother, filmed in Benin and told partly in Bini, is set to screen at Film Africa in London on October 28. Live Music: Gangbé Brass Band, Sergent Markus, Patrick Ruffino and Fafa Ruffino bring Beninese sounds to France’s Oley’Africa festival, October 16–18. Benin Heritage: Looted artefacts are due to go on public display for Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary on October 20. Nigeria has also rejected the British Museum’s proposal to loan the Benin Bronzes, insisting they should be returned, not temporarily borrowed. Football: Benin fans celebrated their team’s place in Lionel Messi’s international farewell, while coach Gernot Rohr criticized Argentina’s treatment of the visitors.

Film: Benin-set drama Her Daughters’ Mother, the feature debut of Chinazaekpere Chukwu, has been selected for Film Africa 2026 in London, with a screening set for October 28. Benin Heritage: As Oba Ewuare II marks 10 years on the throne, looted Benin artefacts are set to go on public display; Nigeria has rejected the British Museum’s offer to lend back the bronzes, insisting restitution must mean returning ownership. Music: Cotonou’s Gangbé Brass Band and Beninese rapper-slammer Sergent Markus will represent the country at France’s Oley’Africa festival on October 16–18. Football: Argentina beat Benin 3–0 in Lionel Messi’s farewell match, where he scored and assisted twice. Benin coach Gernot Rohr criticised Argentina’s treatment of his players after the game.

Benin Heritage: Nigeria rejected the British Museum’s proposal to loan the looted Benin Bronzes. The national museums chief called a loan insulting and said restitution must mean returning ownership; other returned artefacts are expected to go on public display for Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary. Football: Argentina beat Benin 3-0 in Lionel Messi’s farewell match, but coach Gernot Rohr criticized the hosts after Benin’s players were denied shirt swaps and photos. Messi returned to Inter Miami and scored twice in a 4-0 win over D.C. United. Nigerian Music: Ayra Starr is set to perform at halftime of the Eagles-Jaguars NFL game in London, as the league spotlights African music for its international audience.

Benin Heritage: Looted Benin artefacts are set for public display during Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary, renewing attention on restitution and the kingdom’s artistic legacy. Culture & Festivals: Benin City will host the ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival from October 27 to 31, with food, music, fashion and crafts at the centre of a programme linking heritage with tourism and creative enterprise. Screen: Agbara Nla: The Return, a new take on the 1993 Nigerian Christian film, is drawing cinema audiences and stirring nostalgia since its October 1 release. Music: Nigerian pop star Ayra Starr is set to perform at halftime of the Eagles–Jaguars NFL game in London, as the league spotlights African music for an international audience. Football: Benin coach Gernot Rohr criticised Argentina’s treatment of his players after the team’s 3–0 loss in Lionel Messi’s farewell match, saying they were denied photos and shirt swaps.

Benin’s Messi Farewell: Argentina beat Benin 3–0 in Lionel Messi’s final international match, but coach Gernot Rohr condemned the hosts for denying Benin players photos and shirt swaps. A report also described poor travel, hotel and training arrangements for the African team. Royal Heritage: Returned Benin artefacts will go on public display during Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary celebrations, alongside cultural performances and a concert featuring Edo-born musician Shalipopi. Culture & Enterprise: The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival comes to Benin City from October 27–31, linking food, music, fashion and crafts with tourism, investment and jobs.

Benin Heritage: Returned artefacts looted in 1897 will go on public display during Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary in Benin City. The month-long celebrations will also feature cultural performances and a concert with Edo-born musicians, including Shalipopi. Culture & Festivals: The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival comes to Benin City from October 27–31, bringing food, music, fashion and crafts together around heritage, tourism and regional opportunity. Football Spotlight: Benin’s Cheetahs were part of Lionel Messi’s emotional Argentina farewell, losing 3–0 in Buenos Aires. Coach Gernot Rohr criticized security after players were denied photos and shirt swaps, though fans in Benin said they were proud their team faced the football icon in his final international match.

Benin on Messi’s Farewell: Benin’s 3–0 loss to Argentina became part of football history as Lionel Messi scored and assisted twice in his final international match. Coach Gernot Rohr says Argentina’s players snubbed Benin’s requests for photos and shirt swaps; a delegation member also described long travel, poor hotel conditions and inadequate training facilities. Benin Heritage: Returned artefacts looted in 1897 will go on public display during Oba Ewuare II’s 10th coronation anniversary celebrations, which will also feature cultural groups and a concert with Edo artists including Shalipopi. Culture and Enterprise: The ECOWAS Food and Cultural Festival comes to Benin City from October 27–31, bringing food, music, fashion and crafts into a programme aimed at connecting cultural heritage with tourism, jobs and wider markets.

Benin on the World Stage: Argentina beat Benin 3–0 in Lionel Messi’s international farewell, with Messi scoring once and setting up two goals before more than 85,000 fans. The high-profile match brought the Cheetahs global attention, but a Benin delegation member told AFP the trip was poorly organised, citing days of travel and inadequate facilities. Coach Gernot Rohr also said his players were turned away when they sought shirt swaps and photos with Argentina’s stars. Live Music: Cotonou’s Harmony Brass Band marked its 10th anniversary with brass bands from Benin, celebrating the country’s local music scene.

Benin on Football’s Farewell Stage: Benin’s national team featured in Lionel Messi’s final match for Argentina, a 3-0 win in Buenos Aires. Messi scored once and assisted twice in an emotional send-off before 85,000 fans, bringing an end to his 21-year international career. Arts for African Youth: Benin’s First Lady Nathalie Wadagni was welcomed in Abidjan ahead of the Children of Africa gala, where she is an honored guest. Artists including Fally Ipupa, Koffi Olomidé and Youssou N’Dour are set to perform, with proceeds supporting a youth center for sports, arts, culture and leisure.

Benin on Football’s Biggest Stage: Argentina defeated Benin 3-0 in Lionel Messi’s final international match. Messi scored and assisted both other goals, giving Benin a place in a historic farewell watched around the world. African Creativity: A Kokopelli Art Gallery exhibition in Johannesburg featured five emerging artists from Ethiopia, Ghana, Benin and Nigeria, showcasing work developed through its residency programme. Fashion & Craft: Benin’s push to turn locally grown cotton into clothing is drawing attention as a route to strengthen African fashion and local production. Live Music: Harmony’s brass band marked its 10th anniversary in Cotonou with bands from Benin, celebrating the city’s brass-band scene.

Football & Culture: Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell turned into a full stadium spectacle as the Albiceleste beat Benin 3-0 at Estadio Monumental. Messi scored his final international goal from the penalty spot and also provided two assists, with the match briefly paused for tributes, fireworks and a drone “Gracias Leo” display. He called the exit “the saddest day of my career,” while teammates and global stars like Neymar and Ronaldinho led emotional messages. Arts & Media: The send-off also sparked entertainment buzz beyond the pitch, from viral farewell speeches to music and live performances staged around the game. Regional Human Interest: In Nigeria, photos from the wedding of a Nigerian Air Force pilot killed in the Ondo ATR-42 crash emerged just weeks after the ceremony, adding a personal layer to the tragedy.

Messi Farewell (Argentina–Benin): Lionel Messi released an emotional message to fans ahead of his final Argentina appearance, with the friendly against Benin set for the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires and billed as “The Last Tango.” Local Football Spotlight (Benin): Benin defender Mohamed Tijani says his side won’t “mark Messi” and plans to enjoy the moment, while Benin’s staff frame the match as a rare African chapter in Messi’s story. Academic Tribute: Argentina’s University of Buenos Aires plans to honour Messi with an honorary doctorate, adding a cultural layer to the sports spectacle. Ticketing Controversy: Reports say inflated resale prices sparked anger as influencers and black-market sellers drove costs far above official rates. Regional Arts/Media Note (ECOWAS): ECOWAS Court of Justice swore in five new judges, including Désiré Henri Aihou of Benin. Somber Aviation News (Nigeria–Benin route): A Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash near Igbokoda killed 25 people (later toll confirmed), with condolences and mourning declared.

Aviation Tragedy: Nigeria’s NAF ATR-42 crash near Igbokoda, Ondo State, has killed all 32 people onboard (25 passengers, 7 crew), with wreckage found and search-and-rescue now shifting to recovery and investigation. National Mourning: President Bola Tinubu ordered a three-day mourning period, flags at half-mast, and a thorough probe into the cause. Messi Farewell (Benin Friendly): Lionel Messi’s last Argentina match vs Benin (“El Último Tango”) is set for Tuesday at Estadio Monumental, with fans in Argentina bracing for an emotional send-off and Benin’s Mohamed Tijani joking there’s “no plan” beyond enjoying Messi. Broadcast Watch: In the U.S., the match is reportedly set for Spanish-language ViX/TUDN Radio rather than major English TV, sparking complaints from fans. Cultural Diplomacy: The Alaafin of Oyo has sent an envoy to Benin ahead of Oyo Empire Day, citing cultural ties and reconciliation.

Aviation Tragedy: Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu mourned the victims of a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 crash near Igbokoda, Ondo State, after the jet went down on a routine Benin-to-Lagos mission; reports say 25 passengers and seven crew were aboard, with wreckage found near a naval base as search-and-rescue continues and the NSIB says it stands ready to support the Air Force investigation. Football & Culture: Lionel Messi’s final Argentina match is set for Tuesday, Oct. 6, vs Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, with Benin goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou vowing they’ll “defend Benin” and not treat the trip as tourism; the farewell is also tied to Disney’s new animated series “Messi and the Giants,” where Messi is named executive producer. Local Arts/Media: In Benin, HAAC reminded newspapers about legal deposit and publication frequency, while REPROMED pushes a debate on the economic survival of online media. Health & Media Advocacy: NEPWHAN in Benin City urged stronger media involvement to tackle healthcare gaps in Edo, focusing on HIV, TB, and malaria services. Education Reform: JAMB outlined reforms for UTME from 2027, including critical thinking and life skills.