Madam Tinubu’s Flamingos, by Emeka Obasi

I love the fact that First Lady Remi Tinubu swiftly adopted the Flamingos as her children when they visited Aso Villa to present the FIFA Under 17 trophy to Nigerians. This is the best thing to happen to the team as they wait for their 100 million naira alert. Sports keeps us together so I will keep politics away from this venture. You could see the passion while she watched the grand finale live from her living room.

And when the girls finally hit Abuja, there was no doubt that Senator Oluremi was fully in charge. Good news that the Flamingos were rewarded with a 100 million naira, each promise. My joy is that the First Lady will follow this promise until it is delivered. Men are not to be trusted anymore. I do not know why they delay in bringing out money voted for winners.

The closest person to Mr. President is his wife. Others belong to the kitchen cabinet and are powerless before Mama Flamingos. Sincerely, I want to ask the First Lady for a favour. In 2010, this country adopted what we now know as ‘Doctrine Of Necessity.’ We can go back to it right now. These girls are not too young to be blessed with 100 million naira each alert.

This is Nigeria, not Europe or America where female football is well managed. They may be young but are all bread winners. Let us look at Golden Ball winner, Oluebube Jessica Umejiaku. Her home in Uga, Anambra State has known poverty. She needs to build a house to accommodate the family and set up their Matriarch who has been an object of ridicule.

Siblings school fees are on her shoulders. This is the lot of many of these players. I want them to sing ‘Na our mama be dis ooo’.This dedicated fund idea does not sound sweet in tropical Nigeria. The Mexico 1983 Flying Eagles are still expecting President Shehu Shagari’s promises to be fulfilled, 43 years after. There is no better way to show love than blessing these girls before 2026 peters out.

This team is all about Nigerian unity. When I saw names like Queen Joseph, Mary Dunstan, Precious Oscar, Esther Steven and Jasmine Rhoda Sunday, they sounded African -American. Beneath that, these names represent different Nigerian groups. Queen is Atyan, from Zango Kataf in the North – West. Mary Akpan has her home in Essene, Ikot Abasi, South – South Geo – Political Zone.

Precious Chimerie arrived from Imo. Esther Enne is so good that Ikot Abasi people have forgotten that as an Idoma girl, her roots are in Apa, Benue State. Jasmine from Kwoi in the Jaba area of Kaduna State, is closer to Queen. I will come back to Kwoi later. Senator Oluremi’s Itsekiri blood is thick. Jane Bubemi Ijirigho is her Delta daughter. As a Lagos mother, Tosin Rafiu, from Ikorodu zone looks up to her, so does Azeezat Oduntan, an Alaba Oro girl.

A trip to Ogere Remo will lead to Oluwakemi Oluwaseyifumi Adegbuyi’s crib. The South – West is additionally recognised through Elizabeth Success Adewuyi, from Ipoti – Ekiti. There are Awawu Adeola Bashir, Ayomide Muinat Rotimi, Ayomposi Kaosarat Akanji and Sakirat Tobiloba Sarafa. Mrs Tinubu needs no introduction in Owerri. The First Lady of Imo State is her ‘First Daughter.’ She will sing her praise in Achi Mbieri, village of captain Chidera Harmony Chidi.

There is hope in Ngor Impala that Favour Chiamaka Nkwocha is 100 million naira richer. More love from the South – East means that Jackie Onyinyechi Opara’s home in Nsokpo, Ogbaku will be flowing with milk and honey. And it shall be well with Pattra Chidera Oparanmegwa and the people of Umuoba Uratta. We go up to the North Central. Ohunene Sunday Opeyemi is Ebira, like the Kogi State governor.

Otta people want her by all means. Possibly, they want to pay bride price. Please this should be discussed with governor Dapo Abiodun. The Igede people of Obi Local Government Area, Benue State are so proud of Mercy Felix. The Okun Yoruba of Kwara State, are fully charged. Coach Akeem Ishola Busari will soon be honoured by the Kabiyesi of Igbo – Owu in Ifelodun.

Rodiat Kanyisola Yusuf, will grace the occasion from Oyun. Madam First Lady, has gone round Nigeria with this 100 million naira per head gesture, without campaigning for votes. It is that easy. Team Physiotherapist, Christy Etim Godwin and Welfare Officer, Arit Robert Effing are already dancing in the South – South. This brings me to another backroom staff, Jasmine Sunday.

When I saw Kwoi in Jaba, my mind flashed back to Ankung, a village two kilometres away. Mrs Marie Bernadette Wya (nee Carr) was married to Col. Abdulazizi Wya, one of those executed after the February 13, 1976 coup. It took me 40 years to know that contrary to earlier reports, she did not commit suicide. The propaganda flying around then was that she ran her car under a lorry after her husband’s death.

However, in 2016, their first son, Mustafa explained it all. She died in a crash on her way to Kano, from Kaduna to visit some family friends. He was only 13 then and was not even told about his mother’s death until much later. The Roman Catholic church r