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PRESIDENCY DEFENDS SUPER FALCONS REWARDS, CITIES BBNAIJA N150M PRIZE MONEY
The Nigerian presidency spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the national honours and ₦152million cash rewards given 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, 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.
These developments generated mixed reactions from Nigerian netizens particularly on X.
One user, @Wale_Abdul, questioned the use of foreign currency, asking, “Why is he gifting them in dollars? The richest countries in the world won’t ever make such gifting to athletes who collect salaries.”
Another, @Bolanle_Juwon, echoed the sentiment, writing, “Why dollars and not the equivalent in naira? The Nigerian government should, as a matter of urgency, do away with the line of promoting another nation’s currency.”
@Daroking expressed skepticism about the gesture, saying, “Which one is ‘Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ for our president’s name? Well, as much as I’m happy for them, everything is politics. We have underpaid soldiers and police who also deserve better.”
@Ezekwem_Franklin offered a broader critique, stating, “I’m not against the gift, but that amount is too much for a country whose citizens are living in abject poverty, infrastructural decay, and insecurity. This wasn’t thoughtful from President Tinubu; it’s not a good way to buy favour.”
However, some users welcomed the President’s gesture to the team.
@Ghali_Ismael praised the move, saying, “Alhamdulillah Rabil Aalameen for HIS blessings upon us at all times and places. To say the least, I am very impressed with the way Mr. President rewarded the team. Congratulations once again.”
Similarly, @Official_dharmy argued that the comparison to BBNaija was misplaced, noting, “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same. The comparison doesn’t work.”
@SirDavidBent asked, “Why is it so hard for the government to do the right thing without comparing it to a TV show?”
Meanwhile, @IAm_Emma_Eze expressed support for the recognition, tweeting, “Let’s be fair, Tinubu’s gesture to the Super Falcons deserves applause. Some presidents ignore sports achievements entirely.”
And @NenyeVibes added, “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”
