Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has defended the national honours and financial rewards given by President Bola Tinubu to Nigeria’s Super Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, Onanuga took a swipe at critics, who claimed the rewards were either excessive or insufficient.
He drew a comparison with the ₦150 million grand prize offered to the winner of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show.
He 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.
“President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
Onanuga’s comments came hours after Tinubu hosted the victorious team at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
At the event, each player and member of the coaching crew was conferred with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
In addition, Tinubu announced a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for each member of the technical crew.
He also promised three-bedroom apartments for all team members in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate located in the Federal Capital Territory.
Onanuga’s comparison between the Super Falcons’ rewards and BBNaija’s prize money ignited a flurry of mixed reactions on X, with many Nigerians weighing in on the appropriateness of the gesture and the analogy.
One user, @Wale_Abdul, questioned the use of foreign currency, asking, “Why is he gifting them in dollars? The richest countries in the world won’t ever make such gifting to athletes who collect salaries.”
Another, @Bolanle_Juwon, echoed the sentiment, writing, “Why dollars and not the equivalent in naira? The Nigerian government should, as a matter of urgency, do away with the line of promoting another nation’s currency.”
@Daroking expressed skepticism about the gesture, saying, “Which one is ‘Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ for our president’s name? Well, as much as I’m happy for them, everything is politics. We have underpaid soldiers and police who also deserve better.”
@Ezekwem_Franklin offered a broader critique, stating, “I’m not against the gift, but that amount is too much for a country whose citizens are living in abject poverty, infrastructural decay, and insecurity. This wasn’t thoughtful from President Tinubu; it’s not a good way to buy favour.”
However, some users welcomed the President’s gesture to the team.
@Ghali_Ismael praised the move, saying, “Alhamdulillah Rabil Aalameen for HIS blessings upon us at all times and places. To say the least, I am very impressed with the way Mr. President rewarded the team. Congratulations once again.”
Similarly, @Official_dharmy argued that the comparison to BBNaija was misplaced, noting, “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same. The comparison doesn’t work.”
@SirDavidBent asked, “Why is it so hard for the government to do the right thing without comparing it to a TV show?”
Meanwhile, @IAm_Emma_Eze expressed support for the recognition, tweeting, “Let’s be fair, Tinubu’s gesture to the Super Falcons deserves applause. Some presidents ignore sports achievements entirely.”
And @NenyeVibes added, “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”
(Punch)
