Super Falcons striker and 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala, was the special guest of President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the President’s residence in Lagos on Thursday.
President Tinubu and the First Lady had earlier congratulated the Barcelona Femeni star on winning the best African female footballer of the year for the sixth time.
During the visit they commended Oshoala for distinguishing herself in the sport, applauding her significant contributions to women’s football on the continent.
“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,” a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, quoted President Tinubu as saying.
The president and the First Lady used the occasion to hail the exploits of Nigerian women, including the feats by 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 (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, while assuring Oshoala of the nation’s continued support for her and other Nigerian women striving for excellence in their chosen paths.
Speaking to journalists after the warm 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.”