Presidential Largesse: Ex Falcons Bank On Dikko, Olopade – Avre

By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos

Many ex Super Falcons players in diaspora and Nigeria are strongly banking on Chairman and Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC), Malam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olapade respectively, for delayed official hosting and appreciation years after winning Women Africa cup of nations.

According to the spokesperson of Ex United Falcons Worldwide, Patience Avre Odeli, they have had encouraging comments from the NSC, Chairman, Dikko and Director General, Bukola Olapade in separate dialogues after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, hosted and rewarded Super Falcons and D’Tigress players for winning the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco and Afro Basketball Championship in Cote D’Ivoire respectively.

Avre, who was in several Falcons AWC (now WAFCON) winning teams beside FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Games appearances, said both Dikko and Olapade are in support of Ex Falcons’ appeal to President Tinubu to compensate them having brought honour to the country.

“Ex United Falcons Worldwide cannot thank Mr President enough. The president and First Lady Senator, Oluremi Tinubu have brought a new lease of life to sports generally and God will bless the presidency.

“Most of us did our best but no previous government was responsible enough to honour us in nine African success stories.

“We shedded sweat and blood but nothing to show for it all. Some members of Ex United Falcons have died, while others are battling to recover from injuries.

“Many are jobless, while others are facing serious economic hardship despite having served Nigeria several years.

‘Both Honorable, Dikko and Olapade apparently felt touched by sad stories of most of us. They are evidently concerned about the inexplicable lack of appreciation by past governments. They have promised to make a case for us at the presidency.

“They sounded good and we trust they would convey our painful feelings to our papa and mama, President Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu ‘, said the United States of America based Patience Avre Odeli after a recent meeting with Kikelomo Ajayi, Prisca Emeafu, Judith Chime Kamala, Martha Tarhemba, Ayi, Rachel Asabor, Stella Mbachu and others.