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Tinubu honours triumphant Super Falcons with national honours, $100,000 cash each
President Bola Tinubu has bestowed the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, on the Super Falcons and the entire technical crew.
He also allocated three-bedroom apartments in Abuja to each of the players and the technical crew at the Renewed Hope Estate.
The President also directed the cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 each of the 24 players and $50,000 to each of the 11-man technical crew.
This came during a reception in honour of the players and the coaching crew at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said, “I hereby conferred on the players, the 11-man technical team, with national honours of the Officer of the Order of the Niger.
“Additionally, I have directed the allocation of three-bedroom apartments in the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
“Then there is the cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 US dollars each 24 players and the naira equivalent of $50,000 to the 11-man technical crew.”
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable.
“You have inspired me, too. And it’s great for a nation to have assets that are the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You represent that hope. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you, the next generation, and other generations after you.”
The President recounted the emotional moments of the final match, noting how the team’s performance lifted the nation’s spirits and united Nigerians from all walks of life.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency.
“Honestly, I didn’t want to watch the match. I didn’t want to have high blood pressure. But people came in and turned my TV on that channel. When it was 2-0, I got very offended and restless.
“But I was still watching with the spirit of resilience, determination, and courage. And after that penalty, my strength was lifted, and I believe that of the nation was lifted too.
“But you almost made me angrier because your mother (the First Lady) was in the kitchen, nearly abandoning my dinner.
”She doesn’t watch the game except when the girls are playing. And at the end of the final whistle, it was joy all over the country,” he said.
The President assured the team of his administration’s continued support and commitment to sports development, pledging that the government would invest further in women’s football and youth talent development across the country.
“Your story is a story of hope. And in this era of Renewed Hope, we celebrate you not just as champions of Africa, but as champions of the Nigerian dream.”
In a further show of appreciation, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also announced a donation of ₦10 million to each of the players and technical team members on behalf of the 36 state governors.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the Super Falcons as role models and shining examples of courage and excellence.
She congratulated the team for their exceptional performance and unwavering spirit, describing their journey as “a testament to resilience, teamwork, and determination.”
“You played with passion, confidence, and an unshakeable belief in yourselves—that it is not over until it is over.
“The zeal you displayed on the pitch was nothing short of inspirational. You never wavered and reminded the world why Nigeria remains a powerhouse in African women’s football.”
The First Lady prayed for the team’s continued success and shared an earlier conversation with President Tinubu about the team’s bright future as world champions.
“I told Mr. President this morning that you are going to win the World Cup, and he thought I was too ambitious. But Ajibade, the team captain, just seconded that, and that is possible,” he said.
Super Falcons Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said the victory was for the team and for every Nigerian girl who dreams of achieving greatness.
“Today, I stand before you not just as the captain of the Super Falcons, but as a proud daughter of Nigeria, carrying the dreams, resilience, and spirit of our great nation,” she said.
“On behalf of my teammates, coaches, and technical staff, I express our heartfelt gratitude for this warm reception and the unwavering belief you have shown in us.”
Emphasising the significance of their 10th WAFCON title, the team captain said, “This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream… This 10th title is for you, Mr. President, for Nigerians, for Super Falcons, and for every young child who believes and dreams of being on this stage someday.”
Ajibade called for continued support from the government and stakeholders to elevate Nigeria’s global standing in women’s football.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the team’s victory as a symbol of national unity, inspiration, and the triumph of belief, courage, and excellence.
Dikko credited President Tinubu’s administration with investing in sports development and women’s empowerment.
“The Super Falcons’ triumph is a fruit of your unwavering support for sports and women. You have always believed that sports can unite us, heal us, and uplift our spirits as one of the major drivers of the economy. And today, we have seen it happen,” he stated.
He commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her “constant support for our women in sports.”
“This win goes beyond sports. It is a powerful symbol of our national unity and cohesion. In those 90 minutes, Nigerians everywhere from the north, south, east and west held their breath, prayed together, cheered the team, and finally celebrated together.
”That is the power of sports, and indeed the power of our women in sports,” he said.
Earlier, the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received the Super Falcons at the Presidential Villa on Monday, following their record victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Saturday.
The coaster buses conveying the players and coaching crew arrived at the forecourt of the Aso Rock shortly before 04:36 p.m. local time.
The Super Falcons, 10-time African champions after their 3-2 comeback over the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, were received by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, upon their arrival.
In a post-match video call on Saturday night, President Tinubu praised captain and tournament MVP Rasheedat Ajibade.
He also praised Nigeria’s rally from a 2-0 half-time deficit to claim the WAFCON title.
Over the past decade, the Super Falcons have won four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024, bringing their total to 10.
At least 36 serving military officers accused of plotting a coup against President Bola Tinubu will be arraigned before a General Court Martial (GCM) on Friday, following the convening of a military trial panel by the Defence Headquarters.
Although the Defence Headquarters has not publicly announced the move, Sahara Reporters reported that the GCM will assemble at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja on 23 April, according to a convening order signed by AM Alechenu, Commander of the Defence Headquarters Garrison.
The court martial, described as one of the largest in recent years, was established through an official convening order dated April 17, 2026, issued from the Defence Headquarters Garrison at Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja.
According to Sahara Reporters, the order signed by Major General A.M. Alechenu established the tribunal under the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, mandating it to proceed with the trial of the listed accused persons.
The directive further stated that proceedings will begin on April 23, 2026, at the Scorpion Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja.
The panel is made up of senior officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, reflecting a joint-service judicial composition. It is headed by Air Vice Marshal H.I. Alhaji, with other members including major generals, rear admirals, and air vice marshals.
A Judge Advocate, Lt. Col. A. Mohammed, has been appointed to provide legal guidance throughout the proceedings. The structure also includes prosecuting officers from all three services, liaison officers, a technical team, supervising officers, and a court secretariat.
The development represents one of the most extensive military disciplinary proceedings in recent times, coming amid ongoing investigations into alleged efforts to destabilise the state. The court martial is expected to hear multiple cases as the military moves to enforce discipline and maintain constitutional order.
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has been thrown into turmoil following the suspension of its National President, Bala Audu, by delegates at an Emergency Delegates Meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The meeting, which had 63 delegates in attendance from 23 state branches and the Federal Capital Territory, also approved the constitution of a caretaker committee to oversee the association’s affairs pending fresh elections.
The elections are scheduled to take place during the Annual General Meeting billed for Kano between April 27 and May 3.
At the heart of the crisis is a growing disagreement over the disqualification of six candidates from contesting in the forthcoming national elections.
The National Officers Committee, led by Audu, had disqualified the candidates on the grounds of incomplete documentation.
However, several delegates at the emergency meeting faulted the decision, arguing that it was inconsistent with established electoral practices within the association.
Following deliberations, the delegates voted to overturn the disqualification, thereby clearing the affected candidates to participate in the elections.
The meeting went further to suspend Audu, citing alleged violations of the association’s constitution.
In a swift reaction, the Audu-led National Officers Committee rejected both the suspension and the resolutions reached at the emergency meeting.
The committee described the process as “unconstitutional and procedurally flawed,” insisting that due process was not followed in convening the meeting.
The development has effectively split the association into opposing camps, deepening an already tense leadership dispute.
Reacting to the development, the Secretary-General of the NMA, Dr Ben Egbo, maintained that the resolutions from the emergency meeting would be reviewed in line with the association’s constitution.
He said appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken where necessary.
Egbo also confirmed that the Annual Delegates Meeting would proceed as scheduled next week, alongside the planned elections.
He added that the disqualification of one presidential candidate had been reviewed and upheld, stressing that “there would be no reversal of that decision.”
The association’s leadership further dismissed the caretaker committee set up by the delegates, insisting that such an arrangement cannot stand outside constitutionally recognised procedures.
According to the leadership, only actions taken in strict adherence to the association’s constitution would be considered valid.
With both factions holding firm to their positions, concerns are mounting over the credibility and smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections in Kano.
The deceased Corps member, Ben Agir
A serving National Youth Service Corps member, identified as Ben Agir, has been allegedly beaten to death by members of a community vigilante group in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred in Anibros settlement during a night patrol operation by the vigilantes.
A local source said the deceased was accosted on suspicion of being involved in the theft of a motorcycle.
Confirming the incident to newsmen on Thursday, the Chairman of Buruku LGA, Raymond Aondoakura, said it happened on Sunday night between 11 pm and 12 midnight.
The chairman said, “The report came to me on Monday around 4 am. The incident happened at Mbajor settlement near the Local Government Secretariat.
“From what I gathered, they said they caught him and suspected that he was a bike snatcher. Before he could explain himself and present his identification card, one of the leaders started beating him, claiming that he was not telling them the truth.
“They beat him to a coma, and seeing his condition, they took him to a hospital that night, and he died.”
According to him, the suspects have been arrested and handed over to the police for further action.
“We confirmed that the deceased was a serving corps member,” the LG chairman stated.
He also disclosed that the council had suspended the activities of vigilante groups in the area pending proper regulation.
However, the Public Relations Officer of the National Youth Service Corps in the state, Mrs Veronica Ogwuche, told newsmen that preliminary information indicated that the deceased was not a corps member serving in Benue, adding that he may have been serving in Gombe State.
Efforts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not returned as of the time of filing this report. (The PUNCH)
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