*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu awards each player and technical crew member of D鈥橳igress, Nigeria鈥檚 women鈥檚 national basketball team, the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) with a cash award of the Naira equivalent of $100,000 to each player, and $50,000 equivalent for the coach and each technical team member

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred National Honours on all players and the technical team of D鈥橳igress, Nigeria鈥檚 women鈥檚 national basketball team.

The Federal Government announced the rewards Monday, August 4, 2025, following the players鈥� historic fifth consecutive victory at the 2025 FIBA Women鈥檚 AfroBasket Championship.

First Lady (Senator) Remi Tinubu and wife of Vice-President Kashim Shettima with the D鈥橳igress, AfroBasket champions聽

Tinubu, who stated this Monday during the Presidential reception held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT, in their honour, awarded each player and technical crew member the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

The President, represented on the occasion by First Lady (Senator) Remi Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, approved a cash award of the Naira equivalent of $100,000 to each player, and $50,000 equivalent for the coach and each technical team member.

He also directed the allocation of a flat for each player, Coach Rena Makama-led national basketball team.

It is recalled that the Nigerian leader, last week, conferred similar National Honours and gifts on the Super Falcons for winning Nigeria鈥檚 10th title of the Women鈥檚 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, in Morocco.

Likewise, Nigeria鈥檚 D鈥橳igress, in the final held Sunday, August 3, trounced Mali 78-64 in a high-stake, tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title.

The Nigerian national team has dominated African women鈥檚 basketball, winning their 29th consecutive game without a single loss since 2015.

In his message to the team, President Tinubu as well hailed them for becoming the first African team to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women鈥檚 World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

Tinubu: D鈥橳igress victory a powerful statement of Nigerian resilience, pride

Stanley Nkwocha, Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President), in a statement also noted President Tinubu said: 鈥淚t is my profound honour and pleasure to welcome to the State House our remarkable Women鈥檚 National Basketball Team, D鈥橳igress 鈥� continental champions once more, and now the first African team to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women鈥檚 World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament.

First Lady Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima holding the trophy

鈥淵ou have conquered Africa and opened the door to global greatness.鈥�

The President further described the team鈥檚 emphatic 78-64 victory over Mali as more than just a game, calling it 鈥渁 powerful statement of Nigerian resilience, tactical excellence, and national pride.鈥�

He stated: 鈥淵ou fought back from behind in the first quarter, not with panic but poise. You wore the green and white not just as colours, but as a symbol of conviction and hope.

鈥淎nd now, you wear the crown as queens of African basketball for the fifth consecutive time.鈥�

The statement noted President Tinubu particularly, commended Coach Rena Wakama. Tinubu said: 鈥淭o Coach Rena Wakama, you represent the evolution of leadership in Nigerian sports.

鈥淵our quiet strength and historic achievements have shattered ceilings and inspired countless young girls nationwide, who now know that no dream is too bold for a Nigerian woman.

鈥淚ndeed, you deserved your award as the best coach in Africa and the world.鈥�

He equally recognised the tournament鈥檚 Most Valuable Player (MVP), Amy Okonkwo, and top scorer in the final, Ezinne Kalu.

鈥淭o Amy Okonkwo, the tournament MVP, and Ezinne Kalu, top scorer in the final, your brilliance elevated the entire team.

鈥淏ut most importantly, you did not play for yourselves. You played for and won with Nigeria,鈥� stated he.

The President said: 鈥淟et me take a moment to reflect on a greater truth. Nigerian women have never failed this nation in sports.

鈥淔rom the Super Falcons standing tall on the world stage, to our athletes breaking records on the track, and D鈥橳igress building a basketball dynasty, our women have consistently made us proud.

鈥淭hey have shown the world that when opportunity meets preparation, Nigerian excellence is inevitable.鈥�

鈥楽port, a powerful tool for youth employment, economic transformation鈥�

Emphasising his administration鈥檚 commitment to sports development, Tinubu said: 鈥淲e owe you not just applause but decisive action.

鈥淭hat is why, under this administration, we are repositioning sports as a key pillar of our national development strategy and economic drive.

鈥淪port is not merely entertainment. It is infrastructure, education, diplomacy, and a powerful tool for youth employment, economic transformation, and global engagement.鈥�

He extended special appreciation to the National Sports Commission under the leadership of Malam Shehu Dikko, noting that 鈥渢he Commission鈥檚 renewed focus on athlete welfare, institutional reform, grassroots sports and performance-based development is already yielding results.鈥�

The President also commended the Nigeria Basketball Federation, led by Malam Amadu Muda Kida, who also serves as chairman of the NNPC Limited, 鈥渇or its consistency in team development, strategic planning, and sacrifices for Nigeria鈥檚 Glory.

鈥淭o all our young people watching today, let the story of D鈥橳igress remind you that greatness is a product of hard work, discipline, and belief. Nigeria belongs to those who dare to dream and are willing to give their best to make those dreams a reality.

鈥淭o D鈥橳igress, you are not just champions. You are role models, pathfinders, and true daughters of the land,鈥� the President added, assuring them of continued support as they prepare for the global stage.

First Lady Tinubu lauds D鈥橳igress for 鈥榟ard work, excellence鈥�

Applauding the Nigerian women鈥檚 national basketball team, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said it was not just a win on the court but a resounding statement of 鈥渉ard work, excellence, and national pride.鈥�

The President鈥檚 wife noted that the victory of the D鈥橳igress is a moment that will stick with generations of Nigerian girls and women, encouraging them to pursue greatness.

She also said the victory was a clear education that hard work and teamwork are what it takes to succeed.

Referencing WAFCON 2024 golden cup from Morocco, Senator Oluremi Tinubu said that while the nation is yet to get over the euphoria of the women鈥檚 football team鈥檚 victory.

D鈥橳igress, she declared, has given the nation 鈥渁nother reason to believe in the power of Nigerian women to break barriers and set new records鈥�.

Earlier, D鈥橳igress Captain, Amy Okonkwo, who was also named the MVP of the AfroBasket Women 2025 tournament, thanked the President and the First Lady for supporting young Nigerian women.

Coach Okonkwo averred that she and members of the national basketball team are glad for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the tournament, as well as to inspire young girls around the world to embrace sports, noted Nkwocha.

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