Ordega honoured by Water Resources Minister for WAFCON triumph

|By Babatunji Wusu

…Benue-born footballer hailed as pride of Nigeria
…Minister calls for youth empowerment through sports

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, on Friday honoured Super Falcons forward Francisca Ordega for her contribution to Nigeria’s victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Ordega, a Benue-born football star, was part of the squad that secured Nigeria’s record 10th WAFCON title. She was received at the Minister’s office in Abuja, where the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, was also in attendance.

While addressing the gathering, Prof. Utsev praised the Super Falcons for their historic performance, commending their dedication, resilience, and team spirit.

He attributed their victory to a combination of hard work and national support, and applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recognizing the players with national honours and monetary rewards.

“I am particularly proud that a daughter of Benue is among the champions who made Nigeria proud,” the Minister said. “As a Ministry, we are delighted to celebrate her success and will continue to encourage young people in Benue to excel in their chosen careers.”

Ordega, visibly elated, thanked the Minister and described him as “a brother and uncle.” She also expressed gratitude to the people of Benue, President Tinubu, and Nigerians at large for their unwavering support during the tournament.

She called on the Minister to prioritise investment in sports infrastructure and grassroots development in Benue State to help identify and groom emerging talents.

“I hope this honour inspires more young people from Benue to dream bigger,” she added.

Ordega’s recognition by the Minister adds to a growing list of accolades following the Super Falcons’ landmark achievement, reaffirming the value of national heroes in shaping a culture of excellence.