Absolute Profligacy. This is how best to describe President Bola Tinubu’s $2,950,000 gift to the Super Falcons/technical crew for winning the Women African Cup of Nations held in Morocco.
Our President sloppily ordered the release of the Naira equivalent of $100,000 to each of the 24 players and $50,000 to each of the 11-man technical crew of the team. This is clearly not how to spend funds; funds generated from struggling tax payers.
By his action, Tinubu showed that he cared less about the sweat of Nigerian tax payers. He did not even think one bit about the opportunity cost. The fund could have been added to those already set aside for tackling growing hunger, malnutrition and poverty in beloved Nigeria. The money could have been used to tackle decaying health, road and education infrastructure. Our public schools, hospitals and other vital facilities are in shambles.
Yes, the Super Falcons deserve to be rewarded for winning an historic 10th WAFCON title. Conferring national honours on them and a gift of flats in Abuja is more than enough. The additional cash gift is excessive. Besides, the Super Falcons have been decently rewarded with cash bonuses at every stage of the competition. The winning bonus at the group stage was $2000 per player. It progressed to $3000 at the quarter final stage, $4000 at the semi-final stage and $5000 in the final. The draw with Botswana attracted $1000 bonus. There was also the daily camp allowance of $100 per player. So, each player already has around $19000.
Then, for winning the trophy, CAF, Africa’s football governing body/organisers of WAFCON paid the Nigerian FA $1 million as victory prize. CAF further clearly states that 33 percent of its prize money must be shared to players and coaches. That is another $330,000 for the Falcons and their trainers. This will come to around $10,000 per player. In all, each player will take home around $30,000. Is Tinubu unaware of this? So, why the overkill with additional $100,000 per player?
Tinubu must stop spending public funds recklessly. This must not be happening in a country where many go to bed without meals and wake up not sure of breakfast. It must not be happening in a country where millions are still battling for living wages. It must not be happening in a country where scores die daily from ailments as ordinary as malaria and typhoid fever. No fewer than 4,252 Nigerians die yearly from hepatitis. I’m quoting official figures here. Nigeria is still home to the largest number of people living below poverty in this world. Tinubu ought to be worried about this emblem of disgrace. Things have not changed under this government.
Nigeria’s healthcare workers are still struggling for living wages. Just yesterday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the umbrella body of all medical doctors in the country, gave the federal government 21 days to meet their welfare demands or face total, indefinite nationwide strike.
Nigerian nurses, under the umbrella of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, Federal Health Institutions Sector, are set for a seven-day nationwide warning strike effective Wednesday, in protest over poor remuneration, staff shortages, unpaid allowances, and unsafe working conditions. The strike will affect 74 federal hospitals. It will paralyse services in federal medical centres, teaching hospitals, and specialist institutions.
Clearly, healthcare services across Nigeria are in crisis. Tinubu and our languid governors should be worried about this. These hopeless governors also gave a needless N350 million to the Falcons. Public funds should go to healthcare, education, roads, food, poverty alleviation, job creation for Nigerians, not excessively for sports. Enough is enough.
One more thing. England’s women football team won the European trophy last Sunday. The British government did not give them extra cash gifts. They were paid agreed winning bonuses and allowances.
Also, the Spanish women football team that won the world title last year did not get extra cash gift from the Spanish government. They were paid agreed winning bonuses and allowances. This is the global standard. Nigeria must key into this.
A good government must key into this global standard.
Adebowale can be reached through: yemiadebowale@yahoo.com or 08054699539
