Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Tuesday, defended the action of his principal, President Bola Tinubu, who splashed cash gifts and other items on the victorious Super Falcons for winning the latest edition of the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Naijaonpoint recalls the victorious Falcons and their coaching crew, returned to Abuja on Monday following their victory at the WAFCON tournament held in Morocco.

Upon their return, they visited the State House in Abuja, where they presented the trophy to President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.

During the reception held in honour of the victorious Super Falcons, President Tinubu conferred the National Honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on them for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament.

Tinubu also awarded three-bedroom apartments to each of the 24 Super Falcons players and a cash award of $100,000 each, as well as $50,000 each to the technical team.

However, some netizens took to social media to express disapproval of the gesture, saying the money could have been better utilized, even as many Nigerians battle hunger and suffering.

Responding to the criticisms that followed the President’s largesse to the ladies, Onanuga said Tinubu only rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry and the undying Nigerian spirit.

He argued that if the Big Brother reality show could offer as much as ₦150 million grand prize to its winner, then Nigerians questioning the President’s gift to the Falcons are simply being unappreciative.

“When you remember that Multichoice, the organizer 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. President Tinubu has rewarded excellence, creativity, hard work, soccer artistry and the undying Nigerian spirit,” he wrote on his 𝕏 account.