D’Tigress Receive Houses, National Honours as Tinubu Redeems Post-AfroBasket Pledge
African champions D’Tigress are in a celebratory mood in Lyon, the venue of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament, after receiving the rewards promised to them by Bola Ahmed Tinubu following their triumph at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in August last year in Côte d’Ivoire.
The players and their officials were presented with certificates for their national honours as well as title documents for houses allocated to them in Abuja.
The presentation was carried out by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director-General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, alongside other top government officials.
The gesture, under the administration’s “Renewed Hope” initiative, marks a departure from past experiences where government promises to athletes often took years to be fulfilled.
Speaking during the presentation, Dikko described the development as a prompt fulfilment of promises by President Tinubu, noting that the current administration has demonstrated strong commitment to the growth of sports in Nigeria.
“I want to first thank Mr President for making sports work again in Nigeria and giving every Nigerian athlete renewed confidence that sports can truly change their lives and put food on their tables. Sports is not just leisure; it is serious business,” he said.
He added that the President was pleased to honour the team for consistently putting Nigeria on the global map through their impressive performances, patriotism, and resilience.
Dikko also assured the players that the monetary rewards promised by the President are in the final stages of processing and will soon be paid into their respective bank accounts.
Olopade said the Tinubu administration is redefining sports development in Nigeria in line with global best practices where the sector is treated as a viable and thriving industry.
Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr. Musa Kida, D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama, and team captain Amy Okonkwo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the gesture, noting that the recognition would further motivate the team to continue making the country proud.
