Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga has slammed critics of President Bola Tinubu, defending his principal's decision to hand national honours, as well as cash sums to members of the victorious Super Falcons side at the just concluded Women's African Cup of Nations.
The Justin Madugu-led side won the continent's biggest prize on Sunday after defeating their Moroccan counterparts 3-2 in a hard-fought game in Rabat.
Receiving the team and the trophy on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu announced a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for each member of the technical crew.
He further promised three-bedroom apartments for all team members in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate located in the Federal Capital Territory.
However, opinions remain split on the gesture, with some critics calling it excessive.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Onanuga said: “When you remember that Multichoice, the organiser of the BBNaija reality show, is offering the winner ₦150 million grand prize, you wonder why some Nigerians are unappreciative of President Tinubu’s rewards to the Super Falcons."
He added: “President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry, and the undying Nigerian spirit.”
At Monday's reception, the president conferred on each player and member of the coaching crew the national honour of the Order of the Niger (OON).
