Onanuga noted that, “President Tinubu rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
By Kehinde Okeowo
President Bola Tibubu’s Media Aide,
Bayo Onanuga, has justified the reward given to the Super Falcons after lifting their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations’ title in Morocco.
He rationalized the decision by the federal government on Tuesday in a post he shared on his X handle.
TheNiche had earlier reported that President Tinubu offered each Super Falcons’ player a cash reward of $100,000 and each coach and support staff member $50,000.
He also conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and 11 technical crew members.
Additionally, each member of the team will receive a three-bedroom apartment under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
While some Nigerians applauded the move, others took to social media and accused the Tinubu-led government of “misusing public funds”.
Speaking about the decision, popular social media influencer, Daniel Regha, in a post on X, questioned why the Nigerian government awarded cash and gifts to the Super Falcons while civil servants are still struggling to make ends meet.
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He wrote: “For a country that’s crippling with poverty, and where civil servants are struggling to make ends meet, how does this even sit well with anyone? Sorry, but this is a misuse of public funds.”
Responding to the criticisms, Onanuga, who is the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, wondered why the gesture is being condemned by some Nigerians.
He went on to draw a comparison with the BBNaija reality show, pointing out that its winner receives a N150 million grand prize.
“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer 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,” Onanuga wrote.
He added, “President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
