President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a N100 million Flamingos U-17 World Cup reward for every member of Nigeria’s victorious national team, following their triumph at the tournament in Morocco.
REPORTERS AT LARGE reports that the Flamingos beat Japan 2-1 to clinch the U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the players and coaching officials were received. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented the President and said the country was proud of the team.
Flamingos U-17 World Cup reward: how the N100m will be paid
Because the players are still under 17, the money will be kept in trust for them in designated banks as savings certificates rather than paid out in cash. Mrs Tinubu explained the arrangement in simple terms.
“So do you know what a saving certificate is? It’s money, but it’s in trust for you. You are still very young. You want to start handling 100 million now?” she asked the players.
Flamingos U-17 World Cup reward: coach and technical crew share the honours
The head coach of the Flamingos received a N100 million cash reward, while each member of the technical crew got N50 million.
Speaking at what she described as the President’s banquet, Mrs Tinubu said she was honoured to receive the team on his behalf. On behalf of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am honoured to receive our Flamingos, their coaches, technical officials and the entire delegation to the State House,” she said.
Oluremi Tinubu’s message to the Flamingos after the U-17 World Cup reward
Beyond the financial gift, the First Lady urged the young champions to stay grounded in faith. “As a mother, always remember to pray. Don’t forget the humbling moment you stood together and started worshipping that night,” she said. “Wherever we are, God brought us there.”