First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has announced a $230,000 (approximately N176 million) cash gift for the Super Falcons of Nigeria, following their performance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls Tinubu hosted the Super Falcons to a reception on Monday, at which only three out of the 23 players that went to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup were present.
Already, those present during the reception, who included Onomi Ebi, Tochukwu Oluehi and Ucheibe Christy, have been given their share of the $230,000 ($10,000 each).
According to a source privy to the development, the 20 other players, who were on the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup roaster and were not able to make the reception, have been asked to forward their account details to the First Lady.
“I am made to understand that the 3 players -@EBIONOME, @TOluehi and @UcheibeC, received by @oluremitinubu at Aso Rock, were given $10,000 each. And the same amount is to be given to the other 20 players that were on the #Aus roaster.
“I am told that @thenff has been asked to prepare the account details of the 20 players and send them to the presidency, who will reportedly make direct payments to the players,” the source disclosed via X, formerly known as Twitter.
Earlier, the First Lady had during the reception applauded the Super Falcons for displaying thorough sportsmanship at the FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
TNG reports that the Super Falcons had on Aug. 7, crashed out of the tournament, having lost through penalties to England.
Oluremi said the professionalism displayed on the field by the players gladdened her heart, that of President Bola Tinubu, and many Nigerians even as they did not get the trophy.
“The dedication and resilience you displayed on the field has earned Mr President and other Nigerians immense respect and admiration.
“This could only have been accomplished through good team spirit, handwork and discipline.
“Although the final result did not go our way, victory is not solely determined by the result on the field, however, the unbreakable spirit and unity that you demonstrated are true markers of success.
“The entire world noticed the unwavering strength and zeal that defines Nigeria through the posterity you displayed on the soccer field.
“I celebrate all of you for displaying high level of true sportsmanship on the pitch.
“You have not only represented Nigeria on the global stage but you have also become role models for our youths, especially young girls who now see their aspiration mirrored in you,“ she said.
Meanwhile, during the reception, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau addressed issues surrounding entitlements accrued to the Super Falcons.
On behalf of the team, Gusau thanked the first lady and President Bola Tinubu for their support before, during and after their performance at the tournament.
He promised that all the entitlements of the team and their officials shall be paid accordingly.
“I want to express our gratitude to you for being part of the send off organised for the team before their departure to Australia, it really serves as a morale booster to the team.
“By reason of their round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, the players will earn a sum of 60,000 dollars each, the NFF really wanted the team to go further in order for the players to earn more money which they truly deserve.
“I want to assure that the players and the officials will be paid all their entitlements as soon as we receive the world cup money from FIFA.
The Captain of the team, Onome Ebi, also appreciated the first lady and the president for their support, especially with the dinner and for the warm reception.
“I feel happy about our performance at the same time, sad because it was not what we planned to achieve but I and my teammates showed the world that we wanted to get to the last.
“However, it is unfortunate that it happened that we were knocked down by penalty which is so emotional to us because we aimed so higher.’’