In a momentous ceremony held at the highbrow Radisson Blu Hotel in GRA, Ikeja, High Chief Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, widely recognized as IBD Dende, received an illustrious Award of Excellence presented by the City of Brampton, Canada. This prestigious recognition highlights his outstanding contributions to philanthropy, empowerment, and entrepreneurial development in Nigeria, affirming the profound impact he has made on countless lives through his IBD Foundation.

The event was graced by a formal delegation representing the Mayor of Brampton, His Lordship Mayor Patrick Brown, led by Mr. Richard Forward, the Senior Manager of the Financial Advisory Budget Office. During the award presentation, the delegation emphasized Brampton’s dedication to cultivating international partnerships with distinguished leaders like IBD Dende, who is renowned for his philanthropy and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those in need.

The award acknowledged Dende’s extensive philanthropic initiatives, particularly through his IBD Foundation, which has spearheaded transformative projects in various communities throughout Lagos and Ogun States. The recognition also included a formal commendation letter sealed by Mayor Brown, praising Dende’s tireless efforts in economic development, community growth, and his active support for the recently concluded African Made Economic Growth Initiative (AMEGI) in Canada, a significant event that was attended by his wife, Mrs. Omolara Egungbohun.

During the ceremony, Mayor Brown’s representatives delivered a poignant message regarding the importance of recognizing impactful figures within the community, noting, “With a vibrant Nigerian community of approximately 12,000 residents in Brampton, it is vital to spotlight individuals like Chief Dende who are making a tangible difference in the welfare of others.” This statement illustrates Dende’s role as a beacon of hope and progress within the Nigerian diaspora.

The distinguished delegation included Mr. Imadu Maurice, an adviser and community engagement specialist from the Mayor’s Office, and Mrs. Kehinde Adelaja-Okoroafor, Founder of the Make Mee Elegant Foundation. Both speakers highlighted Dende’s deep compassion for the marginalized and his relentless drive to empower them through various initiatives.

As a gesture of ongoing collaboration and mutual support, Mayor Brown extended a warm invitation to Chief Ibrahim to participate in next year’s AMEGI event, set to be hosted by the City of Brampton. This event aims not only to strengthen economic ties but also to empower one thousand women, celebrating the rich contributions of the African diaspora to Canadian society.

Upon receiving the award, Chief Dende articulated his commitment to philanthropy, emphasizing how he has consistently demonstrated his wealth through substantial investments in empowerment initiatives, particularly benefitting the people of Yewa land. He praised Mayor Brown and his administration for their commendable efforts in making Brampton one of the finest cities in Canada, stating, “Your hands-on leadership in championing the Brampton Youth Empowerment Initiative, alongside the recent Affordable Housing Expansion Program, exemplifies public service that truly uplifts its citizens in real time.”

Dende further expressed his enthusiasm for deepening collaborative efforts with the residents of Brampton, especially during his upcoming visit to Canada next year. He hopes to extend his philanthropic and developmental programs to the city, thereby supporting local initiatives and fostering shared prosperity.

“Through the IBD Foundation, our mission remains clear: to restore essential human amenities to communities where they have been lost and to create opportunities where none currently exist. We have invested heavily in educational sponsorships, healthcare interventions, humanitarian relief, rural development, and initiatives to support women-led entrepreneurial ventures. Over the years, we have provided thousands of essential medical treatments, delivered millions of meals to those in need, and supported youth who require encouragement and belief in their potential,” Dende articulated passionately.

For Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, receiving this honour signifies not only individual achievement but also reflects the strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Canadian institutions and Nigerian leaders dedicated to societal improvement and resilience. It stands as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when people come together to uplift their communities.

The Champions League returns with high-stakes encounters across Europe as Matchday 5 takes centre stage. All the matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Chelsea host Barcelona in one of the round’s most anticipated fixtures, while Arsenal face Bayern Munich in a clash between the competition’s top performers.

Tuesday: Spotlight on Stamford Bridge

Matchday 5 opens early in Amsterdam where Ajax meet Benfica at 6:45 pm. The match will be live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Both sides sit bottom of the group after winless starts, with Ajax struggling for form domestically and Benfica showing more consistency in the Portuguese league. Each arrives in urgent need of a first Champions League win.

The evening builds toward its headline clash: Chelsea vs Barcelona at 9:00 pm. The encounter will be aired live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Both teams remain level on points in mid-table after frustrating draws last time out, though each enjoyed routine league victories over the weekend. 

At the same time, Manchester City host Bayer Leverkusen, a duel that will be aired on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). City have been nearly flawless in Europe but enter the night needing a response after a disappointing domestic defeat to Newcastle. Leverkusen, still inconsistent in the Champions League despite a narrow win over Benfica last time out, face a major test away at the Etihad.

Wednesday: Clash of the Leaders

Attention shifts to London on Wednesday as Arsenal welcome Bayern Munich at 9:00 pm. The game is live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). It is first vs second in the Champions League standings, with both sides perfect across all competitions. Bayern arrive with the competition’s joint-best attacking record, while Arsenal remain the only team yet to concede in Europe this season. 

In Paris, defending champions, PSG meet Tottenham in an encounter scheduled for broadcast on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204). PSG’s perfect run ended with defeat to Bayern, while Spurs enter the night seeking stability after a heavy league loss but buoyed by a strong win over Copenhagen in Europe.

Liverpool host PSV, with the match due to be aired on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Despite their domestic struggles, marked by a disappointing loss to Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have looked sharper in Europe, winning three of four. PSV, dominant in the Eredivisie but inconsistent in the Champions League, present an intriguing match-up of two teams with contrasting fortunes across competitions.

Atlético Madrid vs Inter Milan closes the night. The game will be aired on SS Africa 2 (GOtv Ch. 64, DStv Ch. 208). Inter remain one of only three perfect sides in the competition, with four wins from four and just one goal conceded. Atlético, strong in La Liga but beaten by both Liverpool and Arsenal in Europe, face a demanding challenge against the in-form Italians.

Matchday 5 Highlights

Tuesday, Nov 25

• Ajax vs Benfica — 6:45 pm (SS Football Plus HD – DStv 202)
• Chelsea vs Barcelona — 9:00 pm (SS Football Plus HD – DStv 202)
• Man City vs Bayer Leverkusen — 9:00 pm (SS Premier League – GOtv 65, DStv 203)

Wednesday, Nov 26

• Arsenal vs Bayern Munich — 9:00 pm (SS Football Plus HD – DStv 202)
• PSG vs Tottenham — 9:00 pm (SS La Liga – GOtv 62, DStv 204)
• Liverpool vs PSV — 9:00 pm (SS Premier League – GOtv 65, DStv 203)
• Atlético Madrid vs Inter Milan — 9:00 pm (SS Africa 2 – GOtv 64, DStv 208)

Catch Every Moment

Watch every goal and every moment live on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage your subscription on the MyDStv or MyGOtv app, or visit www.dstv.com and www.gotvafrica.com.

Four African hopefuls, Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon, are set to battle for survival in the CAF World Cup play-offs, a high-stakes mini-tournament in Rabat, Morocco, that will determine who keeps their 2026 World Cup dream alive.

Four Nations, One Last Ticket

After missing out on the continent’s nine automatic qualification spots, the four best second-placed teams from the group stage – Nigeria, Gabon, DR Congo, and Cameroon- will compete in the semi-final matches on Thursday, with the winners advancing to Sunday’s final. The champion will then progress to an intercontinental play-off against a team from another confederation for a ticket to next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

All the semi-final matches will take place in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, with Thursday’s semi-finals, Nigeria vs Gabon (5:00 pm) and DR Congo vs Cameroon (8:00 pm), both live on SuperSport Africa 1 (GOtv Ch. 63, DStv Ch. 207).

Nigeria vs Gabon: Powerhouse Meets Underdog

For the Super Eagles, the stakes could not be higher. Nigeria’s campaign began poorly, but a strong finish saw them edge Burkina Faso to qualify as one of the four best runners-up. Their decisive 4-0 win over Benin, featuring a Victor Osimhen hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s late volley, secured progress on goal difference.

Nigeria, six-time World Cup participants, are the highest-ranked team in this play-off series and enter Rabat determined to reclaim their place among the world’s elite after missing Qatar 2022. Coach Eric Chelle’s side will look to capitalise on Osimhen’s form and firepower, while Gabon’s resilience cannot be underestimated.

The Panthers, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, were among the most consistent teams in the qualifiers, finishing just one point behind Côte d’Ivoire. They remain outsiders but capable of springing a surprise if Nigeria are not clinical.

DR Congo vs Cameroon: Order Against Chaos

The second semi-final pits two African heavyweights with contrasting histories. DR Congo, whose only World Cup appearance came in 1974, have impressed under Sébastien Desabre with disciplined, pragmatic football. They finished behind Senegal in their group and are viewed as the tournament’s dark horses.

Cameroon, meanwhile, arrive amid internal turbulence. Coach Marc Brys faces mounting scrutiny following tensions with Cameroon’s football federation. Yet the Indomitable Lions, Africa’s most decorated World Cup participants with eight appearances, possess the pedigree and experience to navigate the pressure. The encounter is widely regarded as a 50-50 contest.

One Chance to Keep the Dream Alive

The winners of Thursday’s semi-finals will meet in Sunday’s final, also in Rabat, for the right to represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff later this year. For Nigeria, it is a defining week, one that will determine whether their journey ends in redemption or disappointment.

Both semi-finals will be broadcast live on SuperSport Africa 1 (GOtv Ch. 63, DStv Ch. 207).