After the shameful outing of the senior football national team (Super Eagles) during the first senior world cup on African soil in South Africa two months ago. The month of July came as a relief to Nigerians when the female under -20 football team (Falconets) emerged second in the competition held in Germany.
As expected, many Nigerians waited eagerly for the President Jonathan to shower the ladies with all sort of monetary gifts such as is customary in the country but were disappointed with the reception given to the team.
The president announced scholarship awards for the players’ without any cash incentive to accompany it. Had it been any male team one can only imagine the extent the nation
through Mr. President would go to show appreciation to them. This act many Nigerians have considered as injustice against women even when they perform credibly better than their male counterparts.
Unsurprisingly though is that African nations do not recognize the efforts that African women are making past and present. Holistically this is gender injustice.
However surprising was the fact that the First Lady Mrs. Jonathan visited the team days before the final match also, the chairman of the presidential task force on football (PTF) the governor of Rivers state was also with the team same as Senate president David Mark. Missing were notable women advocates in the country, seemingly a case of insensitivity against women and recognition.
The irony of the issue was that many women kept quite about the affair; perhaps they are tired of advocating. People would have expected Nigerian women to complain about the shoddy reception given to the team but the quietness about the whole issue has again showed that women in Nigeria are their own enemies in fighting against injustice.
Women groups have allowed men to dictate the pace in politics and now sports, kudus most given to Aishia Falude for contesting the controversial Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) election even when it was clear that the field was not transparent.
it should interest those that are supporting the move by the president that most if not all the U-20 players are from very poor homes and are bread winners for their respective families hence, cash gifts would have been a welcome development along with the scholarship given.
However the Falconets should take hear and concentrate on their professional careers that would see them blossom into world stars where female football is concerned, as more competition for country and clubs would definitely open the doors of opportunities for them.
Also this act by the present government should spur women into more action in demanding better recognition when they achieve more than their male counterparts for the country.
