The Senate has announced a donation of N100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the donation during plenary on Tuesday while presiding over a motion moved by Abdul Ningi (ADC-Bauchi Central) to congratulate the team on its achievement.
Ningi described the victory as historic, noting that the young players had accomplished what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to achieve.
He said the triumph was particularly remarkable given the limited expectations surrounding the team before the competition.
The senator expressed concern that the achievement had not received adequate publicity and national recognition, adding that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.
He also raised concerns about the lack of sufficient official recognition for the team upon its return to the country.
Seconding the motion, Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) commended the Flamingos for defeating Japan in the final, describing the victory as evidence of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.
He urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s achievements rather than constantly focus on its challenges.
Oshiomhole also appealed to the Senate leadership to donate to the team to support the players’ educational needs alongside their sporting careers.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion’s prayers, congratulating President Bola Tinubu on his support for sports development, Nigerians on the victory and the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its chairman, Shehu Dikko.
It also urged the federal government to provide adequate compensation and rewards for the players in recognition of their achievement.
In his remarks, Akpabio described the victory as a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa, particularly as the Flamingos defeated established football nations, including Brazil and Japan.
He urged the federal government to reward the players adequately and called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain the team and continue developing the players for future competitions.
The Senate president also appealed to wealthy and sports-loving Nigerians to support the players and encourage other young people to participate in sports.
He said the N100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to recognise the players’ achievement and encourage them to continue bringing honour to the country.
“I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time for Nigeria.
“We also urged, and we pray, that the federal government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.
“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” Akpabio said.
He congratulated the players, the Senate Committee on Sports and all Nigerians on the victory.
