By Prosper Mene
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought laughter to a reception at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, as he recounted how his wife, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, left her cooking to cheer on Nigeria’s Super Falcons during their thrilling victory in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.
Speaking to the triumphant team, Tinubu admitted he initially avoided watching the match to spare himself the stress, humorously citing concerns about high blood pressure. “Honestly, I didn’t want to watch the match. I didn’t want to have high blood pressure,” he said to an amused audience. “But they turned on the television. When it was 2-0, I got offended and restless.” Despite his reluctance, the President found himself captivated by the team’s resilience, particularly praising Esther Okoronkwo’s “courageous” 64th-minute penalty kick that spunned Nigeria’s comeback.
The room erupted in laughter when Tinubu shared that the First Lady, who rarely watches football unless the Super Falcons are playing, was so engrossed in the match that she nearly forgot his dinner. “You almost made me angrier because your mother, the First Lady, was in the kitchen, nearly abandoning my dinner,” he quipped. “She came running: ‘We have won!’ I said, ‘You have not yet won.’ And at the final whistle, it was all excitement all over the country.”
The Super Falcons, led by captain and tournament MVP Rasheedat Ajibade, were honored at the State Banquet Hall, where Tinubu conferred the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew. Each player was also awarded a three-bedroom flat in Abuja’s Renewed Hope Housing Estate and a cash prize equivalent to $100,000, while the technical team received $50,000 each.
The First Lady, celebrated by the team with their now-famous “Na our mama be this o” chant, also received accolades for her steadfast support. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who had earlier congratulated the team for their semi-final win, hailed their victory as a testament to the strength and brilliance of Nigerian women. “You have written your names in gold and inspired millions across the continent,” she said.
President Tinubu expressed confidence in the team’s ability to inspire future generations, stating, “You represent that hope. You ignited our hope, and we will continue to encourage you.”
