By Our Correspondent

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday said the Flamingos’ historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup signals victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Akpabio spoke while receiving the world champions 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 at plenary on Tuesday passed a resolution to give N100 million to the victorious Flamingos and their officials.

“Perhaps, there is a special significance in the timing of your victory, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

“You brought this World Cup to us at this time, and we believe we have won the next election. For the President to receive you and welcome you in this manner means he will also receive a bigger trophy of re-election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.

He expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu, who recently hosted the victorious team, would secure re-election in 2027, describing the timing of the Flamingos’ triumph as significant for the ruling party.

Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly had committed N100 million to reward the players for their outstanding performance, while acknowledging President Tinubu’s separate promise of N100 million bonds for each member of the victorious team.

He described the President’s bond initiative as an enduring form of financial support that would provide long-term benefits for the young footballers.

The Senate President said the Flamingos’ achievement was particularly significant because they recovered from their opening defeat to record six consecutive victories and emerge world champions.

“When you lost your first match, some of you could have become discouraged. But you demonstrated the Nigerian spirit. You refused to remain down, stood up and fought, winning the next six matches to become world champions. No champion stays down. A true champion gets up, fights again and wins,” he said.

Recalling Nigeria’s famous comeback victory in the Miracle of Dammam, Akpabio said the young footballers had demonstrated that setbacks should not define the destiny of individuals or nations.

He said the Flamingos’ triumph had restored smiles to Nigerians at a time when the country needed positive stories, after Nigeria’s failure to qualify for recent major international competitions, including the men’s FIFA World Cup and the Women’s World Cup, had dampened enthusiasm.

Akpabio urged the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission and other relevant authorities to ensure that the victorious team remained together and received sustained technical, medical and educational support.

“Do not allow this team to scatter. These girls are still very young, and the sky is not their limit. Regular training camps should be organised for them. Qualified and experienced coaches should be provided, alongside proper medical care,” he said.

He also challenged the NFF and sports administrators to establish more football academies across the country to identify and nurture young talents, disclosing that he had established an academy where children as young as nine and 10 receive free education, scholarships and football training.

Beyond the financial rewards, Akpabio stressed the importance of education, urging the Federal Government to ensure that the educational opportunities promised to the players were fully implemented, and advising the footballers not to allow celebrations to distract them from their academic pursuits.

He said Nigerians across ethnic, religious and geographical divides had celebrated the Flamingos’ victory, demonstrating that sports remained a powerful instrument for national integration. “One Nigerian’s success is a triumph for all Nigerians,” he said

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate on Tuesday at plenary declared a donation of N100 million to Nigeria’s Under-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

The Senate President announced the donation while presiding over a motion moved by Sen. Abdul Ningi ( ADC Bauchi Central) on the need to congratulate the team on its achievement.

Ningi described the victory as historic, noting that the young players had achieved what several other Nigerian national teams had struggled to accomplish.

He said the team’s triumph was particularly remarkable, given the limited expectations surrounding the players before the competition.

The senator expressed concern that the achievement had not received adequate publicity and national recognition, adding that the players deserved to be celebrated for bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.

He also expressed concern that the team did not receive sufficient official recognition upon its arrival in the country.

Seconding the motion,
Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) commended the team for defeating Japan in the final, describing the victory as evidence of the potential and determination of Nigerian youths.

Oshiomhole urged Nigerians to appreciate the country’s achievements rather than constantly focus on its challenges.

He also appealed to the Senate leadership to make a donation to the team to support the players’ educational needs alongside their sporting careers.

The Senate thereafter adopted Ningi’s prayers congratulating President Bola Tinubu for his support for sports development, Nigerians on the historic victory, and the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman, Shehu Dikko.

It also urged the federal government to provide adequate compensation and rewards for the players in recognition of their achievement.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said the victory was a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa, particularly as the Flamingos defeated football nations, including Brazil and Japan.

Akpabio urged the federal government to adequately reward the players and called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain the team and continue developing the players for future competitions.

The Senate President also appealed to wealthy and sports-loving Nigerians to support the players and encourage other young people to participate in sports.

He noted that the N100 million donation by the National Assembly was intended to recognise the players’ achievement and encourage them to continue bringing honour to the country.

“I want to commend the Flamingos, the Under-17 youth team of Nigeria, for defeating major countries such as Brazil and Japan to win the Under-17 World Cup for Africa for the first time and for Nigeria.

“We also urged, and we pray that the federal government will recognise these children accordingly and give them adequate rewards.

“The Nigerian Football Federation, under its leadership, should see the need to keep these children together and develop them further,” Akpabio said.

He congratulated the players, the Senate Committee on Sports and all Nigerians on the historic victory.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎Bayelsa Starlets Academy, affiliated to FC Barcelona of Spain, continued their impressive run in the N-Youth League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Triple VFR Football Academy of Umuahia in the South South/South East Conference.
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‎The Yenagoa-based academy has maintained a scintillating run of form, recording four consecutive victories in as many matches. The impressive achievement underscores the team’s ambition, discipline and determination to make a strong impression in the competition.
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‎Head Coach Gomo Onduku made a few changes to the side that convincingly defeated JCE FA a week ago, with Raphael ThankGod and Wisdom Omosua earning places in the matchday squad, while Adamawa Oyintari retained his position between the sticks.
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‎Bayelsa Starlets dominated possession and dictated the tempo of the encounter, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute through Tengi Ibuama.
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‎The goal followed a well-weighted low cross from Wisdom Omosua into the danger area, which Tengi calmly converted with a superb right-footed finish to give the hosts an early advantage.
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‎The strike proved decisive as Bayelsa Starlets demonstrated tactical discipline, composure and defensive resilience to protect their lead and secure all three points.
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‎With the victory, Bayelsa Starlets are placed second on the conference standings with 12 points from four matches, level on points with S-King Football Academy of Umuahia, who occupy the top spot by virtue of superior goal difference of +12 compared to Starlets’ +8. FC Prague Nigeria occupies the third position with nine points.
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‎Bayelsa Starlets will next travel to Eket, Akwa Ibom State, where they will face Mariners City FC on November 12, 2026, as they seek to extend their impressive winning streak.
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‎Speaking after the encounter, Bayelsa Starlets Head Coach, Gomo Onduku, attributed the team’s impressive performance to the collective commitment of the management, technical crew and players, while cautioning his wards against complacency.
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‎‎Onduku further expressed satisfaction with the team’s steady progress, noting that the possession-based approach adopted by the academy reflects the football philosophy of FC Barcelona.
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‎He added: “We are building a team that understands how to control the game, dominate possession and dictate proceedings through intelligent movement and quick passing. That is the Barcelona philosophy we are trying to instil in these young players. We are not only interested in winning matches; we are committed to developing technically-sound, tactically-intelligent and confident footballers.”
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‎On his part, Triple VFR Football Academy Head Coach, Charles Ekanem, acknowledged the quality of Bayelsa Starlets, maintaining that his players gave their best despite the narrow defeat.
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‎He said: “We gave everything on the pitch, but football is decided by fine margins, and unfortunately, we were unable to get the result we wanted. Bayelsa Starlets are a very good side with quality players, and they took their opportunity. We must accept the result, learn from our mistakes and return stronger in our next fixture.”