MTN splashes N150m on Super Falcons

Members of the senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, are continuing to reap the fruits of their labour following their victory at the just-concluded African Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco. The team on arrival in Abuja on Monday were hosted to a party by President Bola Tinubu, who doled out the naira equivalent of $100,000 to each of the girls, $50,000 to their officials, three-bedroom bungalow to each member of the team as well as national honors for the team.
Yesterday, it was the turn of the official telecommunications partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), MTN to host the girls in Lagos, and it splashed N150 million on the team.
At a celebrity breakfast at the Eko Hotel and Suites, MTN gave the players N115 million to share, while their officials got N35 million.
Explaining the rationale for the largesse, MTN’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, said the firm was impressed by the outstanding performance of the team over the years, adding that the nature of Saturday’s victory in Rabat will inspire many Nigerians to believe in their abilities even when the odds are stacked against them.
“You are role models and an inspiration to Nigerians that show that when we rise, the world takes notice,” he said. “At MTN, we believe in the power of connection, not just through technology, but through the soul and spirit of the people. Today, we are connected with pride and joy through the unbreakable spirit of the Super Falcons,” he added.
At the occasion graced by top football personalities, including NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, NFF board member, Aisha Falode, whom the girls described as a great influence in their successes, top management staff of MTN and other stakeholders in Nigerian football, Toriola commended the football federation for delivering on the pact his firm has with it.
He said: “The national teams have delivered over and over in our commitment to the NFF and we will continue to support the game.”
Echoing Toriola’s excitement, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria, Ifueko M. Omoigui Okauru, commended the team for their resilience and advised Nigerians to take a cue from the girls’ rally to success despite the odds.
“To every Nigerian watching the Super Falcons, let their story be a reminder, never give up, despite the challenges in the country, economic hardship, discouragement, setbacks, never give up on pulling yourself together, never give up on your dreams, and never give up on the power of rising again, these girls have shown us what perseverance looks like, they’ve given us a reason to believe.”
Replying on behalf of the team, Skipper Rasheedat Ajibade, thanked MTBN and Nigerians for their unwavering support throughout the tournament in Morocco.
She said: “We appreciate the board of MTN, the CEO, and everyone who came out to cheer us last evening when we arrived at your office. Thank you for this special host; we feel valued, we feel honoured, and we feel respected. This inspires us to be more, to do better, and to keep inspiring the next generation.”
She also thanked “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our First Lady for the huge gifts and honours. It’s a life-changing experience for us. It inspires us to keep representing and flying the flag high at the global level.”
She said that the team would now look beyond the continent and work hard to extend the success to the global stage.
“We’re grateful for winning this 10th title, but we’re not content; we want to be global contenders. We understand the assignment. We know the huge responsibility on our shoulders. And we hope the Federation, the federal government, and private bodies will continue to invest in us so we can take Nigerian women’s football to the next level,” she said.