Presidency Defends Tinubu's $100,000 Falcons Rewards, Says “BBNaija Is Offering N150m Prize”
- President Bola Tinubu's massive reward to the Super Falcons for winning Nigeria’s 10th title of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco sparked debate in the polity
- While many commended Tinubu for honouring the Falcons, others urged the president to do the same to the Nigerian security officials defending the country
- In a twist, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga defended Tinubu, linking the development to the ongoing BBNaija TV show
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The presidency has defended the national honours and financial rewards given by President Bola Tinubu to Nigeria’s Super Falcons following their historic triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Source: Twitter
Tinubu confers honours, awards $100,000 to each player
Legit.ng reported that while hosting the winning team at the presidential villa on Monday, July 28, Tinubu conferred the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players in the team. He also announced the gifting of three-bedroom apartments and a cash gift of $100,000 each.
Speaking further, the president extended the generosity to the technical crew of the team and awarded each member with $50,000.
However, Tinubu's gifts to the Super Falcons after winning the WAFCON 2024 championship have sparked reactions among Nigerians.
Source: Twitter
Falcons: Tinubu rewarded excellence - Presidency
Reacting to the criticism, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, took a swipe at critics, who claimed the rewards were either excessive or insufficient.
In a post shared on his X page on Tuesday, July 29, Onanuga drew a comparison with the N150 million grand prize offered to the winner of the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show.
"When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer 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."
Reactions as Onanuga defends Tinubu’s Falcons rewards
Legit.ng compiled a few reactions from the comment section on X below;
@OfficiaEdoOsasB tweeted:
"Epa, Multi choice is a private business. I appreciate the president rewarding the girls—but when will such gestures be extended to the educational sector?"
@OyokunyiOkon tweeted:
"The president should also make a payment for Officer in the police forces after retirement."
@OyokunyiOkon tweeted:
"Pay the same to our security forces most especially the police officers."
@big_orla tweeted:
"I wonder why people mix talent with a salary earner, once you are chosen through your talent, you are rich automatically and that's how it work all around the globe."
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- Super Falcons eulogise Oluremi Tinubu
- Super Falcons: Viral photo shows Remi Tinubu in the Kitchen watching WAFCON final
Asisat Oshoala reacts after Tinubu's $100,000 reward
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Asisat Oshoala led the Super Falcons stars in reacting to the gifts and national honour conferred on the team by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The legendary Super Falcons forward received the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) after winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball at the 2014 FIFA Women's U20 World Cup.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
