Kingsley Joshua

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has linked Nigeria’s triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to the electoral prospects of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressing confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure re-election in 2027.

Akpabio made the declaration on Wednesday while receiving the victorious Flamingos at the National Assembly in Abuja, where he personally distributed the N100 million cash reward approved by the Senate for the players and their officials.

The Senate had on Tuesday approved the N100 million reward in recognition of the team’s historic achievement at the global football tournament.

Akpabio described the timing of the victory as politically significant, arguing that the national celebration generated by the young footballers’ achievement was an indication of what awaited the ruling party in the 2027 general election.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu, who recently hosted the victorious team, would secure another presidential mandate, saying the President’s reception of the champions symbolised a bigger electoral victory ahead.

The Senate President also acknowledged the President’s separate promise of N100 million bonds for each member of the team, describing the initiative as a lasting financial investment in the future of the young footballers.

He said the Flamingos deserved the national recognition following their remarkable recovery from an opening-match defeat to win six consecutive matches and emerge world champions.

According to him, the team’s ability to overcome its initial setback demonstrated resilience, determination and the fighting spirit associated with Nigerians.

Akpabio urged the players not to allow their opening defeat to define their performance, noting that their eventual triumph reinforced the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

He recalled Nigeria’s famous comeback victory in the Miracle of Dammam, saying the Flamingos had similarly demonstrated that setbacks should not determine the ultimate outcome of an individual or nation’s journey.

The Senate President said the victory had restored national pride and excitement at a time when Nigerians needed positive developments, particularly following the country’s failure to qualify for recent major international football competitions.

He, however, called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), National Sports Commission and other relevant authorities to ensure that the team remained together and received sustained technical, medical and educational support.

Akpabio warned against allowing the team to disintegrate after its historic achievement, urging sports administrators to organise regular training camps and provide qualified coaches and adequate medical facilities to sustain the players’ development.

He also advocated the establishment of more football academies across the country to identify and nurture emerging talents at an early age.

The Senate President disclosed that he had established a football academy where children aged nine and 10 receive free education, scholarships and football training.

Beyond football, Akpabio stressed the need to fulfil the educational opportunities promised to the players, urging the Federal Government and relevant authorities to ensure that the commitments translated into tangible benefits.

He also advised the young champions not to allow the celebrations surrounding their achievement to distract them from their academic responsibilities.

Akpabio said the nationwide celebration of the Flamingos’ victory across ethnic, religious and geographical divides had demonstrated the capacity of sports to promote national unity and strengthen the bonds of citizenship.

He maintained that the team’s achievement belonged to all Nigerians, irrespective of their backgrounds.