By Jane Salihu
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from the historic victory of the Flamingos at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, saying their triumph demonstrates that determination, courage and resilience can turn setbacks into remarkable achievements.
Akpabio gave the charge on Wednesday when the Senate received the national women’s Under-17 football team at the National Assembly in Abuja following their triumph at the competition in Morocco.
He said the players had demonstrated that an initial failure should not determine the outcome of one’s aspirations, urging young Nigerians not to surrender their dreams in the face of difficulties.
According to him, the Flamingos’ response to their opening defeat, followed by six consecutive victories, offers an important lesson to young people across the country that success is achievable through persistence, discipline and determination.
He urged Nigerian youths, particularly young girls, to believe in their abilities, pursue their ambitions and take advantage of opportunities available to them, noting that the team’s achievement had broken barriers and created a lasting legacy for the next generation.
Akpabio said the government and sports authorities must ensure that the players’ success translates into sustainable opportunities through regular training camps, quality healthcare, education and a structured pathway to the senior national team, the Super Falcons.
“We must open the gate of learning to you. You are very young, and the sky is not your limit. Regular camps must be arranged for you, and proper Medicare must be given to you. Every Flamingo must have a clear path to the Super Falcons,” he said.
The Senate President described the team as a source of national pride, adding that their victory had restored hope and confidence among Nigerians amid the country’s challenges.
He urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and sports administrators to strengthen grassroots football development through academies and structured talent-development programmes capable of identifying and nurturing young talents.
Akpabio also announced the redemption of the Senate’s N100 million pledge to the team, while acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s provision of N100 million bonds for each player.
He explained that the presidential bonds would yield returns until maturity, when the players attain the age of 21 and become entitled to the principal amounts.
He said the financial rewards were intended to recognise the players’ achievements and encourage other young Nigerians to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.
The Senate President further advised the players to protect their future by remaining disciplined, shunning drugs and cultism, and taking their education seriously.
Earlier, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi, described the Flamingos’ achievement as a major source of national pride, saying it had lifted the country’s morale following recent disappointments in international football.
Ningi noted that Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the men’s FIFA World Cup had heightened the need for a deliberate national sports development strategy with clear objectives and timelines to prevent similar setbacks in future competitions.
He said the Senate would continue to support sports development, adding that its decision to suspend legislative rules to receive and honour the team demonstrated the importance attached to their achievement.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, commended the players for their determination, particularly their ability to recover from their opening defeat and win six successive matches to secure the trophy.
Dikko said the victory was a collective effort, noting that different players made significant contributions throughout the competition.
He stressed that the team’s success demonstrated the importance of teamwork, depth and sustained investment in developing young talents.
In her response, captain of the team, Chidera Chidi, thanked the Senate for the recognition and support, assuring Nigerians that the players would continue working hard to make the country proud.
“For us, me and my teammates and everybody, we feel appreciated, and we promise we will keep fighting out there for Nigeria and we will keep working hard to make Nigeria stronger,” she said.
The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 to win the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, becoming the first African country to claim the title.
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