- Onanuga argued that Tinubu’s gesture celebrated excellence and national pride, comparing it to the ₦150 million prize awarded to the winner of Big Brother Naija.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has defended President Bola Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons after their 2024 WAFCON victory.
This followed President Tinubu’s reception of the victorious Super Falcons at the Presidential Villa, where he awarded each player and coach the national honour of OON, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively, plus three-bedroom apartments in Abuja’s Renewed Hope Housing Estate.
In a post on X, Onanuga argued that Tinubu’s gesture celebrated excellence and national pride, comparing it to the ₦150 million prize awarded to the winner of Big Brother Naija.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner ₦150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons,” he wrote. “President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
See some of the reactions trailing his post below:
@Daroking said; “Which one is ‘Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ for our president’s name? Well, as much as I’m happy for them, everything is politics. We have underpaid soldiers and police who also deserve better.”
@Ezekwem_Franklin stated; “I’m not against the gift, 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.”
@Ghali_Ismael wrote; “Alhamdulillah Rabil Aalameen for HIS blessings upon us at all times and places. To say the least, I am very impressed with the way Mr. President rewarded the team. Congratulations once again.”
@Official_dharmy said; “BBNaija is private money. Falcons played for the country. It’s not the same. The comparison doesn’t work.”
