NIGERIA: Senate Donates N100m to Flamingos for Historic World Cup Triumph

The Senate has announced a donation of N100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph 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 Senator Abdul Ningi (ADC, Bauchi Central), seeking to congratulate the team on its achievement.

Moving the motion, 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, insisting that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.

He also lamented the lack of sufficient official recognition when the team returned to the country.

Seconding the motion, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) commended the Flamingos for defeating Japan in the final, describing their victory as proof of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.

Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to celebrate the country's achievements rather than focus solely on its challenges.

He also called on the Senate leadership to make a financial contribution to support the players' educational needs alongside their sporting careers.

The Senate subsequently adopted the motion, congratulating President Bola Tinubu for 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 rewards and compensation for the players in recognition of their achievement.

In his remarks, Akpabio described the Flamingos' triumph as a significant milestone for Nigeria and Africa, noting that the team defeated football powerhouses, including Brazil and Japan, on its way to the title.

He called on the Federal Government to adequately reward the players and urged the Nigeria Football Federation to sustain the team and continue developing the young talents for future competitions.

The Senate President also appealed to wealthy and sports-loving Nigerians to support the players and encourage more young people to participate in sports.

Akpabio 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.

He congratulated the Flamingos, the Senate Committee on Sports and Nigerians on the historic victory.