By Prosper Mene
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has rewarded Super Falcons forward Francisca Mlumun Ordega with a N50 million cash prize, a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment in Makurdi, and the naming of a major street in her honor.
The announcement was made during a state dinner held on Wednesday night, August 7, 2025, to celebrate Ordega’s contributions to Nigeria’s triumphant campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Governor Alia hailed Ordega, a Benue native and five-time WAFCON champion, as the state’s greatest sports ambassador in recent times. Despite missing the WAFCON final due to injury, Ordega played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco, securing the nation’s 10th WAFCON title. The governor praised her resilience and urged young girls to emulate her dedication, saying “She is truly an inspiration to all the young ladies coming up to play. Guide them, coach them, and tomorrow we shall celebrate them at the national level.”
The event which was attended by prominent figures including music icon Innocent Idibia (TuFace), also saw Alia reward Ordega’s grassroots coach with N10 million for nurturing her talent in Gboko. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) presented the governor with a special award for his support of Nigerian football.
Ordega, who also holds the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), expressed gratitude to the state and called for increased investment in grassroots sports. “Let’s support sports development, invest in infrastructure, training programs, and talent identification,” she urged, advocating for scholarships to balance education and athletics for young female athletes.
Beyond her on-field exploits, Ordega demonstrated her commitment to her community by donating relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the Ultra Modern International Market in Makurdi through her Francisca Ordega Foundation, in collaboration with the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC). “They are suffering for no genuine reason. I wanted to celebrate this trophy with them because they deserve joy too,” she said.
The dinner also highlighted upcoming initiatives, with TuFace announcing the Benue Wild Talent Hunt show, featuring a N50 million star prize, and plans for an interstate carnival to promote talent and unity.
Governor Alia’s gesture follows a national reception by President Bola Tinubu, where Ordega and her teammates received $100,000 each, alongside national honors and apartments. The recognition shows Ordega’s status as a role model and Benue’s pride in her global achievements.
