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The Senate has pledged a N100 million financial reward for Nigeria’s victorious Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, while urging the Federal Government to provide additional incentives to the players in recognition of their achievement.
It also urged the Federal Government to ensure that the players were adequately rewarded, recalling that another national sporting team had previously received a $100,000 government pledge, although it reportedly took about 18 months for the commitment to be redeemed.
The lawmakers also congratulated President Bola Tinubu, the Flamingos, the Federal Government, the National Sports Commission, the NFF and Nigerians on the team’s accomplishment.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the commitment on behalf of the National Assembly during plenary on Tuesday, saying the lawmakers were determined to appreciate the team’s performance with an immediate financial reward.
“From the National Assembly, even if we do not have anything else to give these children, we will make a token of N100 million to them immediately,” Akpabio announced.
The commitment followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Abdul Ningi, which sought national recognition and adequate compensation for the young footballers.
“What is good for the goose is good for the gander. These children have brought glory and pride to Africa and to Nigeria. Therefore, the same token should be extended to them.
“It does not matter how long it takes. What matters is that these children have brought honour to our country and should be adequately rewarded,” he said.
Moving the motion, Ningi said the team’s accomplishment deserved special recognition, particularly against the background of Nigeria’s recent disappointments in international football.
He recalled that the Super Eagles had failed to qualify for two consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments, while the Super Falcons had also encountered difficulties in securing qualification for their next global competition.
The senator said the Flamingos had provided Nigerians with something to celebrate by overcoming formidable opponents, despite having been assembled barely six months before the competition.
“I think this is probably the first of its kind in Africa. We must appreciate what these young girls have done for our country.
“Against the background of the failures we have experienced in successive international sporting competitions, these young girls have given Nigerians something to celebrate.
“It is important to underscore the significance of this victory. These teenagers have achieved what many mature and experienced footballers, including the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons, have struggled to accomplish.
“They have brought honour not only to Nigeria but also to Africa and the girl child,” Ningi said.
However, the senator expressed concern that the achievement had not received adequate publicity and official recognition, noting that the tournament attracted limited television and social media coverage until its concluding stages.
He also faulted the absence of senior government officials when the players arrived in the country, saying their reception did not reflect the significance of their achievement.
“When I saw the arrival of these girls, I did not see any high-ranking government officials at the airport, except for members of the supporters’ club. This has created a disturbing scenario in my mind.
“These teenagers have achieved what many other national teams have not been able to achieve. The government and the people of Nigeria must accord them the recognition they deserve,” he added.
Seconding the motion, Ned Nwoko described the players as national heroes, saying their performances against established football nations demonstrated the potential of Nigerian youths.
Nwoko recalled watching highlights of their encounters with Brazil and the United States, arguing that the resources and level of football development in those countries made the Flamingos’ performance particularly commendable.
“The funding, organisation and attention given to football at that level in the United States are extraordinary. For these girls to go out there and play the way they did showed strength of character.
“Those were not easy matches. Some of the encounters went into penalty shootouts, which can be emotionally draining and require enormous mental strength.
“They are heroes to our country. They should be celebrated,” he said.
While acknowledging the First Lady’s public expression of support for the team, Nwoko called on President Bola Tinubu to accord the players national recognition and urged state governors to receive and celebrate those from their respective states.
In his contribution, Adams Oshiomhole highlighted the team’s victory over Japan, saying the achievement demonstrated that Nigerian youths could compete with countries known for their technological and economic advancement.
“Not many people gave them a chance, and that is probably why, as determined people who were not looking for excuses, they went out there and did their best.
“Today, Nigeria is on record as defeating Japan. For me, that is something worth celebrating.
“They can beat us in technology, but we beat them in sports. We should be very proud of that achievement,” he said.
He also called for a change in the country’s attitude towards celebrating national accomplishments, lamenting that many Nigerians who make significant contributions often go unrecognised.
“In this country, we often do not give ourselves a chance. We do not value ourselves enough, and we do not always say positive things about our country.
“But the truth is that there are so many unsung heroes in this country. Ninety-nine per cent of Nigerians are decent people. They are hardworking, creative, energetic and never give up on our great country,” he added.
Beyond the financial reward, the Senate urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the players together after the competition to sustain the understanding and coordination they had developed and prepare them for future international assignments.
Akpabio warned against allowing the team to disintegrate, saying continuity would help the players build on their current achievement and potentially progress together to the senior national team.
“We pray that the Nigeria Football Federation will see the need to keep these children together so that they do not scatter.
“In the future, when they become adults, they will have played together for years and will probably also defeat the world at the senior level,” he said.
The Senate President also appealed to wealthy Nigerians, business leaders and sports enthusiasts to support the players with additional incentives, noting that rewarding their achievement would encourage other young Nigerians to pursue excellence in sports.
The lawmakers also commended Tinubu for his commitment to funding and sports development, as well as the National Sports Commission, particularly its chairman, Malam Shehu Dikko, for his leadership and contributions to the team’s achievement.
