President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday gifted Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, Federal Government Savings Bonds worth N100 million each. The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced the rewards on his behalf during a reception at the State House in Abuja.
The Flamingos recently became the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. They defeated Japan 2-1 in the final. The President’s gesture recognised that achievement. The team’s coach also received a savings certificate of the same value. Meanwhile, each member of the technical crew received N50 million in cash.
Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, explained the choice of bonds over cash. He noted that most of the players are teenagers. “There is no need to flood them with money that can distort their career,” Dikko said.
He added that the Federal Government Savings Bonds would run for five years. “That savings bond comes at like 14, 12 per cent interest annually, meaning each of them will be adding like N1.1m plus monthly for the next five years, which is enough to look outside their education, to look outside their training, and then by the time those bonds mature, they are already adults,” he stated.
