The Senate has pledged N100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory over Japan to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The donation is aimed at recognising the players’ achievement and encouraging them to sustain their performance in future competitions.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the N100 million donation during plenary on Tuesday while presiding over a motion moved by Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC-Bauchi Central) to congratulate the team on its victory.
Moving the motion, Ningi described the Flamingos’ achievement as historic, noting that the young players had accomplished what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to achieve.
He said the victory 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, insisting that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.
Ningi also lamented the lack of sufficient official recognition for the team upon its return to the country.
Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo North) commended the players for defeating Japan in the final, describing their victory as a demonstration of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.
Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to celebrate the country’s achievements rather than concentrate solely on its challenges.
He also appealed to the Senate leadership to make a financial contribution to the team to support the players’ educational pursuits alongside their sporting careers.
The Senate subsequently adopted the motion, 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.
Speaking after the adoption of the motion, Akpabio described the victory as a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa, noting that the Flamingos had defeated established football nations, including Brazil and Japan.
He called on the Federal Government to adequately reward the players and urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to keep the team together and invest in their further development.
Akpabio also appealed to wealthy Nigerians and sports enthusiasts to support the players and encourage more young people to participate in sports.
He said the N100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to recognise the team’s achievement and motivate the players to continue bringing honour to the country.
The Senate President congratulated the Flamingos, the Senate Committee on Sports and Nigerians on the team’s historic accomplishment.