President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said Nigerian women have secured a special place in the world through excellent performance in their various fields of endeavour.
He said this speaks to their character of “excellence, tenacity, ingenuity and resilience.”
Tinubu said this when he and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, hosted Super Falcons striker and 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, in Lagos, on Thursday.
“Nigerian women will always have a pride of place in the world.
“What our ladies have achieved in football, our women are achieving in all fields of endeavour around the world—rising to the top and demonstrating the best of the Nigerian character of excellence, tenacity, ingenuity, and resilience,” the President said.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled, ‘President Tinubu salutes excellence of Nigerian women as he hosts Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala.’
President Tinubu and his wife had congratulated the Barcelona Femeni star on winning the best African female footballer of the year for the sixth time on December 11, 2023.
The first couple commended Oshoala for distinguishing herself in the sport, applauding her significant contributions to women’s football on the continent.
Aware of the feats of star sprinter, Tobi Amusan, and the presence of multiple Nigerian women on the Forbes’ ‘2023 World’s 100 Most Powerful Women,’ List, including media mogul, Ms. Mo Abudu, and Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the President and the First Lady assured Oshoala of the nation’s continued support for her and other Nigerian women striving for excellence in their chosen paths.
Oshoala, who spoke to journalists after the reception, Oshoala said: “I want to appreciate the President and the First Lady for giving me the opportunity to present the award to them.
“During the last World Cup, we had a couple of issues, and they intervened and have been very supportive to the girls, even after the competition.
“And if something good is coming out of that team I think it’s only right for her (First Lady) to be aware and also shown this thing to know we really do appreciate her support.”
On the 34th African Cup of Nations holding in Ivory Coast in January 2024, Oshoala said the Super Eagles were expected to go for gold and win.
“We have superstars on the team. It’s not all about superstars anyway, it’s about team football.
“I feel like the guys are mentally ready. And I feel they are going to have a good outing,” she remarked.
