By Our Correspondent

In keeping with their welfare tradition, the management of Nigeria National League, NNL side, Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin has released a cash sum of half a million naira(N500,000) as financial support for the family of their late Goalkeeper, Umar Ahmad Jalingo, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

The Benin Arsenal’s Team Manager, Coach Benard Ogbe during a condolence visit on behalf of the club presented the cheque to the deceased family.

Members of the family present during the donation include late Jalingo’s widow, Hajia Zulai, their four children and aged mother among other relatives.

The presentation was done at the family house in Yobe State, Thursday, July 9, 2020.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu who, who is a player of the club and oversees the affairs of the club gave directive and support for the welfare package to be delivered to the family without delay.

Delivering the club’s condolence message to the family, coach Ogbe said “I am here on behalf of Bendel Insurance FC, the last Club Jalingo played football for. I have been asked to come and see you and the children but couldn’t come immediately because of Covid-19 and interstate lockdown.

“The management sent the money to support late Jalingo”s children’s upkeeps and to express the club’s sad feelings and condolences to you.”

He told the family that the late goalkeeper was a valuable asset that will be greatly missed and prayed that God grants the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Receiving the cheque, the wife and the mother of the late goalkeeper thanked Bendel Insurance FC and Edo state government for their kind gesture.

It could be recalled that Umar Jalingo died on Thursday, May 28, 2020 after a brief illness and was buried same day according to Muslim tradition.

Meanwhile, the secretary of Bendel Insurance FC Mr Charles Ihimekpen
has revealed that in addition to the N500, 000 released to late Umar Jalingo’s family, Insurance in its magnanimity has allowed the late goalkeeper’s salary to continue for a period of three months after his demise.