Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has described the rain of blessings from the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the Super Falcons as an elixir that will motivate and encourage Nigeria’s girl-child to search for greatness through legitimate pathways.
President Tinubu on Monday in Abuja rewarded each of the 24 players of the Women AFCON -winning Super Falcons with a national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a three-bedroom apartment and the sum of $100,000.
The good tidings also got to the team’s 11-person technical and administrative crew, who were also given national awards, three-bedroom apartments and the sum of $50,000 each.
The pronouncements were made during the reception for the African champions at the Presidential Villa, on their arrival from Morocco, where they won the 13th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations to make it a record-extending 10th triumph at the continent’s flagship competition for women.
“I am overjoyed because Mr. President has done what no leader before him had done. This is a magnificent day for women’s football and indeed, football generally. This action of Mr. President will serve as a fillip to draw out the girl-child in our country to seek greatness through legitimate ways.
“Football has always been the greatest unifier among our peoples from different various physical and mental divides, and economic backgrounds. With this pronouncement by Mr. President, the girl-child will now see that they can achieve greatness by doing sport and indeed any other noble profession or vocation.”
Monday’s outpouring of goodies for the Super Falcons also included the sum of N10 million to each of the players and their 11-person technical and administrative crew by the Governors’ Forum, as well as a financial gesture of N1 million to each of the 24 players by six players of the Super Eagles: captain William Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Leon Balogun and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo.
