Senate President Godswill Akpabio has redeemed the National Assembly’s pledge of N100 million to Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The reward was presented during a reception held at the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday, where the team was formally honored for becoming the first African nation to win the tournament.
During the ceremony, Akpabio personally handed over the cash prize to the players and their officials after they were presented with the World Cup trophy. The event followed a Senate plenary resolution held the previous day to recognize the team’s achievement. Akpabio described the players as the "pride of Africa and the world," noting that their success had restored national pride at a time when Nigerian football fans had been disappointed by the country’s failure to qualify for recent major international competitions.
“You brought this World Cup to us at this time, and we believe we have won the next election. For the President to receive you and welcome you in this manner means he will also receive a bigger trophy of re-election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Akpabio said.
In a statement linking the sporting triumph to political fortunes, Akpabio suggested that the timing of the victory signified what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 general election. He expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would secure re-election, citing the administration’s ongoing reforms. Akpabio also acknowledged Tinubu’s separate commitment to provide N100 million in bonds to each member of the team, describing it as a long-term investment in their futures.
The Senate President commended the Flamingos for their resilience, highlighting their ability to recover from an opening defeat to record six consecutive victories and emerge as champions. He drew parallels to the famous "Miracle of Damman," urging the young athletes to maintain their fighting spirit. Akpabio also guaranteed the players’ education, stating that their future was secured due to the pride they had brought to the nation.
Looking ahead, Akpabio urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission to keep the team together and provide adequate support, including regular training camps, qualified coaches, and medical care. He emphasized the importance of sustained investment to prepare the players for eventual progression into the senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons. Additionally, he called for the establishment of more football academies across the country, disclosing that he had personally established an academy near the airport that offers free education, scholarships, and training to children as young as nine.
Concluding his address, Akpabio highlighted the role of sports in promoting national unity, noting that the victory had been celebrated across ethnic, religious, and geographical divides. He warned the players to remain focused on their education, advising that combining academic excellence with sporting achievement would provide a more secure future regardless of the length of their professional careers.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
