The Presidency has defended the national honours and ₦152 million cash reward by President Bola Tinubu to each player in Nigeria’s Super Falcons after their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory.
Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, presidency spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, slammed critics who argued that the rewards were either too much or not enough, questioning their sense of value.
He compared the presidential gesture to the ₦150 million grand prize awarded to the winner of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show.
He wrote, “When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner ₦150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
The team was hosted following their victory over Morocco, winning by three goals to two in Saturday’s thrilling Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final played at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
Speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday, the captain of the team, Ajibade Rasheedat, dedicated the victory to Nigerians.
“It is the celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns and cities, who dares to dream, every family that believes in the power of unity and Nigeria who carries our green and white flag with pride.”
“This title is for you Mr President, it is for Nigerians, it is for Super Falcons and it is for every Nigerian girl who dreams to be on this stage.”
Tinubu thereafter honoured the Super Falcons players.
Each player and technical crew is to receive the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a 3-bedroom flat and $100,000 award.
