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NUGA 2022: SPORTS IS UNIFIER, RALLYING POINT FOR LAGOS, SAYS SANWO-OLU

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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
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•Tasks UNILAG to win University Games

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday said his administration will continue to use sports as a rallying point to project the tourism potentials of the state.

He said his administration would provide an enabling environment for sports and youth development as well as utilise the tourism potentials of Lagos to build future leaders.

Governor Sanwo-Olu while receiving the 2022 Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) “Torch of Unity” at Lagos House Marina on Wednesday, promised that Lagos State Government would support the games with human and material resources

The Torch of Unity was presented by a delegation from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the host university, made up of the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Senator Lanre Tejuoso and Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, among other top management staff of the institution.

The Nigerian Universities Games, scheduled to hold between March 16 and 26, will be city games as sports competitions would take place inside the UNILAG campus and other sports facilities in Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulated the management of UNILAG for winning the hosting rights of NUGA 2022, saying the sports competition would further bring about unity and togetherness among students and youths from different parts of Nigeria as over 10,000 participants are expected to participate in the event.

The Governor, who is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, charged the school to win the 26th edition of the Nigerian Universities Games.

He also implored students and youths to use NUGA 2022 as a platform to discuss more on what unites Nigeria and ways of bringing peace and building the nation.

Speaking on his administration’s commitment to sports and youth development, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that currently, the state government is constructing nine sporting facilities across the state to boost sportsmanship and unity.

In his remark, the UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ogundipe said the Nigerian Universities Games will go beyond sports but also boost the tourism potential of Lagos State, as over 10,000 students and officials are expected to participate in the Nigerian Universities Games.

Prof. Ogundipe appealed to Lagos State Government to support NUGA 2022 through the provision of security and transportation facilities, as well as other state facilities that can be used during the event.

He also appealed to the Ministry of Tourism to assist in ensuring that visitors feel the tourist potential of Lagos State, noting that the Nigerian Universities Games is not only about UNILAG but Lagos State.

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Tinubu Gifts Flamingos Players ₦100m Each After Historic World Cup Triumph

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Flamingos
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President Bola Tinubu has rewarded each member of Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, with a ₦100 million savings certificate following their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

The reward was announced by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who represented the President at a special reception for the victorious team at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja.

Under the reward package, the head coach will receive ₦100 million in cash, while each member of the technical crew is to get ₦50 million.

The First Lady commended the players for their remarkable achievement, particularly their six consecutive victories, describing their humility, discipline and sportsmanship as qualities worthy of emulation.

She said the historic triumph would inspire young Nigerian girls to pursue their dreams and demonstrate that they could compete and succeed at the highest level of international sports.

She also acknowledged the contributions of the coaching crew, technical and medical personnel, football administrators, parents and supporters towards the team’s success.

The Flamingos secured Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title after defeating Japan 2-1 in the final on November 7, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the decisive goals.

Despite losing their opening match 2-1 to Poland, the Nigerian girls bounced back impressively, defeating defending champions North Korea, Puerto Rico and Mexico before overcoming Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final to book their first-ever place in the final.

President Tinubu had earlier congratulated the team, describing the victory as a proud moment for Nigeria and a landmark achievement for African women’s football.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he received news of the triumph upon returning from campaign engagements in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states.

The Senate has also pledged ₦100 million to reward the players following a motion moved by the Chairman of its Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, who praised the team’s outstanding performance and commended the Nigeria Football Federation for its contribution to the historic success.

The Flamingos’ achievement adds to Nigeria’s recent dominance in women’s sports, coming less than two years after the Super Falcons clinched their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco.

It also follows the historic 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket triumph by Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress.

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Akpabio, Okpebholo Hail Flamingos After Historic U-17 World Cup Victory

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, have congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final to emerge champions for the first time, becoming the first African nation to win the competition.

In separate congratulatory messages, the two leaders described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian football and a source of immense national pride.

Akpabio, in a statement issued by his media office and signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, described the players as “Nigeria’s Golden Girls” for their outstanding performance and historic accomplishment.

He said the triumph had not only elevated Nigeria’s status in global women’s football but also brought pride to the African continent.

The Senate President praised the players for their talent, determination, resilience and teamwork, noting that their achievement demonstrated the rewards of hard work, discipline and self-belief.

He added that the Flamingos had inspired millions of Nigerians, particularly young girls, to pursue their dreams and aspire to greatness.

Akpabio also congratulated the coaching crew, technical team and other support staff for their contributions to the historic success, declaring that the world had heard Nigeria’s victory song.

Similarly, Governor Okpebholo described the victory as a remarkable milestone, commending the Flamingos for their courage, discipline, teamwork and impressive performances throughout the tournament.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Akhere Ebojele, the governor said the team had demonstrated the resilience and winning mentality associated with the Nigerian spirit.

He also praised the technical crew, coaches and support staff for their dedication, noting that the triumph underscored the growing potential of women’s football in Nigeria.

According to Okpebholo, the Flamingos had written their names in Nigeria’s football history and demonstrated the ability of the country’s young talents to compete and excel on the global stage.

He urged the players to sustain their winning mentality and remain worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, while assuring them of the continued support and goodwill of the people of Edo State.

“The Flamingos have made Nigeria proud, and their victory is a triumph for the nation,” the governor said.

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Infantino Hails Flamingos’ Historic U-17 World Cup Triumph

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic victory at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Rabat, Morocco.

Infantino described the triumph as a landmark achievement for Nigerian and African football, noting that Nigeria had become the first African country to win the prestigious competition.

In his congratulatory message after the final, the FIFA president commended the Flamingos for their impressive performance, describing their victory as well deserved.

“Congratulations to Nigeria, world champions of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup here in Rabat. First African team ever to win a Women’s Under-17 World Cup. So many congratulations to Nigeria, well deserved in the final,” he said.

Infantino also congratulated Japan for claiming the silver medal and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea) for finishing third in the competition.

He equally praised Morocco for successfully hosting the tournament, describing the competition and facilities in Rabat as beautiful, fantastic and wonderful.

The Flamingos’ historic achievement represents a major breakthrough for African women’s football, as Nigeria becomes the first nation from the continent to lift the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

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