Several former Nigerian women’s football stars, under the banner of the United Ex-Super Falcons of Nigeria Worldwide, have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for their renewed commitment to supporting and appreciating women footballers.
Former Falcons captain Kikelomo Ajayi, alongside ex-stars Prisca Emeafu and Patience Avre-Odeli, expressed excitement after an online meeting with other veterans on Wednesday. They applauded President Tinubu’s gesture of rewarding the current Super Falcons with cash prizes, land, and national honours following their WAFCON triumph in Morocco.
Ajayi described the move as an inspiration to a new generation of female footballers, stressing that “the nation stands to gain from this initiative.” She also urged the presidency to extend similar recognition to past heroines who laid the foundation for today’s successes.
US-based Avre-Odeli praised Dikko for his role in shaping government policy on sports development. “We monitored Mallam Dikko’s comments at a youth forum in Abuja and were impressed with his vision. He confirmed that recommendations have been made to President Tinubu, who will use his discretion to honour many of us who shed sweat and blood to bring glory to Nigeria. For us, it’s a new dawn for Nigerian sports,” she said.
Ireland-based former vice-captain Prisca Emeafu, however, lamented that her generation never enjoyed such recognition. “Some of us won AWC — now WAFCON — but never received a dime from the government, NFF, or sports ministry,” she said. She revealed that she currently requires $40,000 for surgery on a knee injury sustained in camp ahead of a FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Emeafu also recalled a harrowing experience when armed robbers stormed the Falcons’ camp at Obasanjo Farms, Ota. “I suffered a severe leg dislocation and was left disfigured, yet never honoured or appreciated. Many of my colleagues are suffering today because of irresponsible leadership. It is our prayer that President Tinubu and Mallam Dikko correct the mistakes of the past and show us love,” she added.
Also speaking, US-based ex-Falcons star Martha Tarhemba thanked President Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their generosity, while appealing for urgent medical support for struggling former players.