By Adamu Yusuf
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has congratulated Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, on their historic FIFA World Cup victory, describing the players as the pride of Africa and the world.
Akpabio gave the commendation in Abuja during a reception organised in honour of the team following its historic achievement as the first African nation to win the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Speaking after the players presented the trophy to him, the Senate President said their triumph had demonstrated the resilience, determination and potential of Nigerian youths, expressing confidence that the country could aspire to greater achievements in women’s football.
He assured the players that their education and future would be supported, noting that their outstanding performance had brought honour to the country and renewed hope among Nigerians.
Akpabio observed that despite losing their opening match, the Flamingos remained determined and went on to record six consecutive victories to lift the trophy. He said their achievement should serve as an inspiration to Nigerians, particularly young girls, to remain committed to their ambitions despite challenges.
He also commended the team’s coaches, officials, parents and guardians for their contributions to the historic success, urging that the players’ achievement be recognised through lasting support beyond public celebrations.
At the reception, Akpabio presented envelopes to each member of the team as part of the Senate’s one hundred million naira reward announced on Tuesday in recognition of their outstanding performance.
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, described the team’s achievement in Morocco as remarkable, saying it would remain a memorable chapter in Nigeria’s sporting history.
Ningi said the Senate and Nigerians would continue to remember the players for bringing pride and joy to the country, urging them to remain focused and build on their success.
He added that the players had demonstrated that Nigerian girls could compete at the highest level of international football and achieve outstanding results.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
