CAF: Tinubu, Wife, Akpabio, Sanwo-Olu, Uzodimma Hail Lookman, Nnadozie, Others

•Say athletes worthy nation’s ambassadors  

•First Lady shares N1.85bn to elderly people

Deji Elumoye and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja  

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, led other prominent Nigerians to congratulate Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, for winning the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year.

Tinubu, in a release by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also hailed Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, for clinching the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, and the Super Falcons for emerging Women’s National Team of the Year.

The awards were announced Monday night at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech, Morocco.  

Tinubu joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating the athletes. He described them as worthy ambassadors for showcasing their talents and bringing honour to the country on the continental and world stages.

The president believed that the recognition by Africa’s highest football authority would inspire other upcoming athletes to remain steadfast in pursuing their dreams.

He affirmed that the athletes’ determination, discipline and confidence underscored his administration’s resolve to build a better Nigeria where everyone would thrive and succeed.

The president stated, “These athletes embody the essential Nigerian spirit. They signpost the best in us as a nation. Let no one ever write us off. I am incredibly proud of them.

“Thank you for making Nigeria proud and keeping our flag flying. Thank you for winning medals for Nigeria both at home and abroad. You will win more in the future.” 

The wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in her congratulatory message, stated, “I congratulate Chiamaka Nnadozie, Adekunle Lookman and the Super Falcons for their remarkable achievements at the CAF Awards. 

“This is the reward for your dedication, talent, and passion for the round leather game. You have brought pride to Nigeria and showcased the excellence of our athletes on the African stage.

“To the Super Falcons, you continue to represent the resilience and strength of Nigerian women, making us proud every step of the way. Congratulations to you all. Keep soaring to greater heights.”

In another development, the first lady, yesterday, gave out N1.9 billion to elderly people aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She urged the elderly to prioritise their heath and spend quality time with their loved ones.

Mrs Tinubu spoke in Abuja during the second edition of the renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Elderly Support Scheme (RHEISS).

In a release by the media aide to the first lady, Busola Kukoyi, the programme took place in all the states of the federation, including the FCT, at the rate of 250 beneficiaries per state, and military veterans receiving N200,000.00 each.

The statement said, “The Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative has decided to increase the grant from N100,000 to N200,000 this year to provide further support to our elderly citizens during this festive season.

“A total of One Billion, Nine Hundred Million Naira (N1,900,000,000) will be disbursed across the nation. 

“The RHI Coordinators in the 36 States of the federation, the FCT and DEPOWA have received Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000) each, out of which N200,000 will be distributed today to each beneficiary. In addition to this, free medical check-ups and other sundry items will be provided.”

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, also congratulated the Super Falcons goal keeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, for emerging as the Women’s Goal Keeper of the Year.

Akpabio hailed the national female team, Super Falcons, for winning the Women’s National Team of the Year Award.

Extoling Lookman’s exceptional skills and prowess, he said, “I wish to congratulate one of our finest footballers and an international superstar, Ademola Lookman on his well-deserved win as the CAF Men’s Player of the Year. 

“This prestigious award is a testament to Lookman’s hard work, dedication, and exceptional skills on the football pitch.

“I would also like to celebrate our amiable and talented Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for the second consecutive year. 

“Her outstanding performance is an inspiration to young Nigerian girls who aspire to excel in sports. Furthermore, I commend the Super Falcons for emerging as the Women’s National Team of the Year. 

“This achievement demonstrates the team’s resilience, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.”

The senator for Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, gifted N2 million to a gold medallist, Matthew Ovayioza, to enable her to secure financial sponsorship and access to international standard training facilities to adequately prepare for future competitions.

Ovayioza, who won two gold medals at the Weightlifting World Championship held in Manama, Bahrain, visited Akpoti-Uduaghan in her Abuja residence yesterday.

A statement yesterday by Akpoti-Uduaghan‘s Chief Press Secretary, ArogbonloIsrael, explained that the arm wrestler and weightlifter, during the visit, presented her awards to the senator.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also congratulated Lookman for winning the 2024 CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year, and hailed Nnadoziefor clinching the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Sanwo-Olu praised the Super Falcons for winning the Women’s National Team of the Year prize. 

The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, said the awardees were worthy ambassadors. He said their talents had brought honour and pride to Nigeria on the continental stage.

He stated, “As a Nigerian and a football fan, I am glad to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our superstars, Ademola Lookman and Chiamaka Nnadozie, at the 2024 CAF Awards. They made us proud by winning the CAF Men’s African Footballer of the Year and Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year awards, respectively.

“I am also excited about the news of the Super Falcons being named 2023 National Team of the Year (Women). The team deserved the award, having proved on many occasions to be the best female national team in Africa.

“These accomplishments make us incredibly proud and reflect the hard work, commitment and skill of these footballers. I applaud each of them for showcasing our nation on an international platform with such distinction. 

“On behalf of the government and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate our superstars for emerging the best in the African continent. This victory not only acknowledges personal excellence but also shows the vast potential of Nigerian football.”

The governor added, “I believe strongly that the recognition by Africa’s highest football authority will inspire the young generations, particularly footballers, to remain steadfast in pursuing their dreams.

“The success recorded by Ademola Lookman, Chiamaka Nnadozie and the Super Falcons is a remarkable testament to Nigeria’s football prowess, and we will continue to support the round leather game.”

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State described Nnadozie as a true ambassador of Imo State, Nigeria and Africa, going by the way she committed herself to her craft.

Uzodimma also congratulated Lookman for winning the 2024 Africa Player of the Year award.

Taking to his social media handle, Uzodimma said of Nnadozie:, “It is with immense pride and joy that I congratulate our very own @nnadozie_chiamaka on emerging as the Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) at the #CAFAwards2024 for the second consecutive time. 

“This prestigious recognition is an attestation to her perfect saves, flawless performances, and dedication to her craft. Chiamaka’s success reflects not just talent but also the hard work, discipline, and passion that she consistently brings to the game.

“She has proven herself to be a true ambassador of Imo State, Nigeria and Africa at large, making us all proud on the global stage. As younger generations look up to her for inspiration, I encourage her to continue breaking boundaries and setting higher standards.”