Tinubu’s $100k rewards for Super Falcons spark debate among Nigerians as presidency likened gesture to BBNaija’s grand prize
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, defended the recently announced reward package by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Super Falcons, following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The president hosted the team at the Presidential Villa on Monday, unveiling a reward of $100,000 for each player, while coaches and support staff would each receive $50,000.
In addition to the monetary rewards, President Tinubu also conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and 11 members of the technical crew.
Each team member is also set to receive a three-bedroom apartment under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
The announcement has sparked a lively debate online, with reactions ranging from praise to skepticism regarding the scale of the government’s gesture.
Onanuga expressed his surprise at the backlash, particularly some criticism comparing it to the prize offered in the BBNaija reality show.
In a post on his X handle, he wrote, “When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner N150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons.” He emphasized that the rewards were a recognition of excellence and hard work.
Below are some of the comments which triggered Onanuga’s response:
“Why is he gifting them in dollars? The richest countries in the world won’t ever make such gifting to athletes who collect salaries,” posted @Wale_Abdul.
“Why dollars and not the equivalent in naira?” added @Bolanle_Juwon. “The Nigerian government should, as a matter of urgency, do away with the line of promoting another nation’s currency.”
Others criticised the perceived disconnect between the gesture and the country’s economic realities.
“I’m not against the gift,” wrote @Ezekwem_Franklin, “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, several commenters defended the administration’s decision.
“To say the least, I am very impressed with the way Mr. President rewarded the team,” said @Ghali_Ismael. “Congratulations once again.”
“The comparison to BBNaija was misplaced,” @Official_dharmy argued. “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same.”
@NenyeVibes echoed this sentiment: “BBNaija gets private funding. Falcons represent national pride. Both deserve rewards, but one shouldn’t be used to justify the other.”
Source: Daily Trust