Presidency Defends Tinubu’s $100,000 Gift to Super Falcons, Slams Unappreciative Nigerians
By: Israel adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Presidency has reacted to criticism surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s reward package to the victorious Super Falcons team, expressing concern that some Nigerians remain unappreciative despite the magnitude of the gesture.
OTN News had earlier reports that President Tinubu, had, on Monday, gifted each of the 24 players on the Nigerian women’s national football team $100,000, a three-bedroom apartment, and conferred them with national honours following their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat, Morocco.
While the announcement was met with praise in some quarters, a section of the public questioned the appropriateness of the reward, drawing comparisons to reality television show prizes such as Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).
Responding to the backlash, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said it was disappointing that some Nigerians failed to appreciate the president’s recognition of sporting excellence.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Onanuga 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.”
He continued, “President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
OTN News had earlier reported that the Super Falcons made history earlier this month by claiming their 10th WAFCON title after a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against hosts Morocco, further cementing their dominance in African women’s football.
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