Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD) has disagreed with the federal government on the amount given as a cash gift to Super Falcon Players and Team Officials.
VATLAD said the gifts are not commensurate with the value of the trophy won and the value of the WAFCON competition.
Comrade (Engr) Igbini Emmanuel, National President, VATLAD, in a statement, advised that in the future, rewards to sportsmen and women, particularly footballers, the total cash gift to all players and officials of the winning team should be a maximum of the cash value of the Trophy won.
He said President Tinubu’s cash gift to WAFCON players is disproportionate and unjustified, as well as a waste of scarce national funds.
“Our attention has been drawn to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Decision to reward the Super Falcon Players and Team Officials with the sum of one hundred thousand dollars and fifty thousand dollars, respectively, and houses, each.
“As a Civil Society Organisation that encourages rewards to deserving Nigerians in different fields, we commend President Tinubu for appreciating the conquering spirit of the Team, which has brought pride to Nigeria and Nigerians and his decision to motivate them and other young sportsmen and women of our country with cash and housing gifts and National Honours.
“We have also read the statement issued by Mr Bayo Onanuga in justifying the decision of the President to make such cash gift rewards.
“It is even more displeasing for the Presidency, through Mr Bayo Onanuga, to justify its decision by making a comparison with the cash reward of the same amount given to winners of the highly immoral and disgusting quasi-porn TV Show called BBN.
“Is the Presidency encouraging and promoting immorality among our youths through such quasi-porn TV shows by citing it in this instance?