The Presidency has justified President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent cash reward to the Super Falcons, amid varied public reactions across social and mainstream media.
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @aonanuga1956, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, stated that the President’s gesture reflected what a grateful nation ought to do.
He reiterated that President Tinubu’s gesture was a celebration of “excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer 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,” Onanuga wrote.
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President had on Monday announced monetary rewards, approving the Naira equivalent of $100,000 (approximately N153 million) for each player and $50,000 (N75.6 million), for each member of the coaching crew, totalling N4,503,600,000.
He also conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each member of the victorious squad, as well as a three-bedroom apartment to go with.
Onanuga’s reaction comes after President Tinubu, on Monday, announced a special cash reward and national recognition for members of the Nigerian women’s national football team following their historic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Falcons claimed their 10th continental title after a dramatic win in Rabat, Morocco.
While the President’s move received praise from many Nigerians and sports enthusiasts, particularly for promoting women’s sports, some online commentators questioned the timing, monetary value, and broader implications in the face of economic challenges.
Onanuga, however, emphasized that the President’s action was symbolic of his administration’s commitment to rewarding merit and motivating future excellence.
