President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the Federal Government has fully redeemed the reward package promised to D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, following their continental triumph.
‘Today, the rewards I promised our D’Tigress have been fully redeemed,’ Tinubu said in a statement posted on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, on Thursday. ‘Each player has received the naira equivalent of $100,000, while each official has received the equivalent of $50,000, completing their package of cash rewards, national honours and three-bedroom homes in Abuja.’
The President said the gesture marked the first time a Federal Government had fully redeemed presidential sporting rewards of such magnitude within a year, though he acknowledged the process took longer than expected.
‘We had to follow the processes required by law and ensure that every commitment was properly implemented. That took time, but a promise made must be a promise kept,’ he said.
Tinubu also gave an update on outstanding rewards for other national teams, disclosing that Super Falcons players and officials had already received title documents for their allocated houses and certificates for their national honours, while cash rewards for the team were being finalised.
‘We are also concluding the outstanding cash rewards for our Super Falcons. The Super Falcons players and officials have already received the title documents to their house allocations and National Honours certificates,’ he said.
He confirmed that Super Eagles players had likewise received their promised houses and national honours.
‘Likewise, the promise of houses and national honours I made to Super Eagles players has since been redeemed,’ Tinubu said.
The President insisted Nigerian athletes deserved more than public commendation for their achievements.
‘Our athletes who bring honour to Nigeria deserve more than applause. They deserve a country that keeps its word,’ he said, urging athletes to keep striving for excellence on the international stage.
‘My promise to every Nigerian athlete is: make Nigeria proud, and come back to a grateful nation. Congratulations once again, our athletes. Nigeria is proud of you.’