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‘Money gifted to Super Falcons can pay 16,000 doctors, 66,000 teachers, others’

Published

10 months ago

July 31, 2025

‘Money gifted to Super Falcons can pay 16,000 doctors, 66,000 teachers, others’

The cash price splashed on Nigeria’s women national football team, the Super Falcons, is enough to take care of the monthly wage bill of about 16,000 doctors, 66,000 teachers and over 78,000 lowest ranked officers of the Police Force, Checks by Daily Trust has shown.

Daily Trust reports that following their triumph at the just-concluded 2024 WAFCON tournament in Morocco, the 24 players and 11 technical crew of the Super Falcons were rewarded with a cash prize of N4.602 billion ($100,000 and $50, 000) each as well as the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The players and officials were also given the sum of N350m by the Nigerian Governors Forum, which took their cash reward to N4.952bn

Nigeria won the WAFCON title for a record-extending 10th time on Saturday after coming back from two goals down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.

The team landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday before proceeding to a reception organised for them by the Presidency.

President Tinubu had promised the team a befitting reception on Sunday while speaking with them after their triumph.

“Nothing else could have represented it, crucial time, crucial victory. On behalf of the grateful nation, I hereby confer on the players and the 11-man technical team the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger,” Tinubu had announced.

“Additionally, I hereby direct the allocation of a three-bedroom apartment for each of the players and the technical crew in our Renewed Hope Estate.

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“In addition, there is a cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 to each of the 24 players and equivalent of $50,000 to the 11-man technical crew. Once again, I congratulate you, and I continue to pray for you. With this, the Nigerian spirit is unyielding and will never die. God bless you” the president had said.

Tinubu’s cash reward was calculated at the exchange rate of N1,562/1$.

The Super Falcons also dominated the tournament’s awards as captain Rasheedat Ajibade won the Player of the Tournament; Chiamaka Nnadozie was named the best keeper while coach Justine Madugu won the best coach award.

The thrilling dominance marked the 10th triumph of the Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

However, Tinubu’s cash rewards have been criticized in many quarters considering the current economic situation in the country.

Many Nigerians argued that the money, when put to good use, is enough to help every Nigerian have a decent living.

A social commentator Fr. Kelvin Ugwu who spoke on the issue noted that “The worth of the cup in WAFCON is $1m, but the money spent on the footballers and crew, both as cash gifts and material gifts, including housing, totals beyond $4m.

“Twenty-four players were given $100,000 each, that is $2.4m. Eleven crew members at $50,000 each is $550,000. That is roughly $3m. I don’t know the cost of the fully finished three-bedroom apartment for each player and crew. But you can do the maths and see. I also don’t know the cost of the dinner party and how much was paid to all the artists who performed. But I am sure you already know it will be in millions. If you put everything together, you will see that about $5m has been spent to celebrate the winning of $1m,” he said.

However, Daily Trust calculated the said amount and what it can do for critical workers like doctors, teachers and policemen with regards to their wages and welfare.

Doctors

Over time, medical doctors in Nigeria have raised concerns over poor remuneration and unfavourable working conditions with some earning less than N250,000 per month in some states despite risking their lives to care for patients.

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Daily Trust findings show that the poor welfare for medical doctors is one of the key factors driving many medical professionals to seek better opportunities abroad, worsening the country’s brain drain crisis popularly known as ‘japa syndrome’.

Further findings by our correspondent revealed that private hospitals tend to pay higher salaries, while government-employed doctors are often left with inadequate incentives, earning between N200,000 and N250,000.

A medical doctor at a government-owned hospital in Abuja who did not mention his name for security concerns, lamented the financial burden he faces despite years of medical training and experience.

He explained, “It is heartbreaking to work so hard, especially in a public hospital, and still earn only N250,000 a month. The cost of living in Abuja is high with rent, transport and other things and that amount is not just sustainable.”

He explained that while Nigerian doctors are fully capable of meeting the country’s medical needs, their low pay largely explains the ongoing brain drain.

The government is indeed taking steps to increase medical school admissions and build pharmacies, laboratories, and nursing schools. However, these efforts have not stemmed the tide of doctors relocating to the US, UK and Europe. What we need are incentives and salaries commensurate with our skills and responsibilities.

The over N4bn if divided by the minimum salary of a medical doctor in a government-owned hospital can pay the wages of about 16,000 doctors.

Teachers

In Nigeria, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future generation, yet they often find themselves undervalued and unappreciated. Despite their significant contributions to society, teachers face numerous challenges that hinder their ability to thrive and make a lasting impact on their students.

Many teachers struggle to make ends meet due to low salaries, delayed payments, and irregularities in pension schemes. This financial strain not only affects their motivation and morale but also detracts talented individuals from pursuing a career in education.

Some Nigerian teachers, particularly those in private schools, earn salaries as low as N45,000 per month. Some even earn below the national minimum wage of N30,000. This situation is compounded by the rising cost of living and inflation, making it difficult for teachers to make ends meet.

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Only recently, teachers in the FCT were on strike for over 100 days due to poor welfare.

During that time, primary school pupils in Abuja were left to their fate while government authorities and labour unions continued a protracted tug-of-war.

The industrial action, led by the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, was the fourth since late 2023.

The teachers were demanding the full implementation of a tripartite agreement signed on December 11, 2024, which promised a N70,000 minimum wage for teachers.

Due to the prolonged strike, children who should be in class were found roaming markets, chasing after vehicles, or hawking sachet water and groundnuts under the scorching sun.

For teachers earning just about N66,000 monthly, the over N4bn splashed on the Super Falcons by the president will be adequate to pay about 66,000 of them.

Police officers

The issue of poor packages for retired police officers has been on the front burner for a very long time in Nigeria.

Only recently, these retired officers stormed the streets nationwide protesting poor welfare, pension and other living conditions.

In Abuja, the retired police personnel who defied the downpour protested at the Force headquarters and National Assembly entrance gate, to ventilate their anger and frustration.

Also, a former presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, slammed the government’s reward structure, calling it “brutally unfair” to officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

Further checks by Daily Trust have shown that a constable in the Nigerian Police Force earns between N51,000 and N75 000 monthly.

Now, the amount showered on the Super Falcons can pay about 78,000 of the lowest ranked constables in the Nigeria Police Force.

‘Money gifted to Super Falcons can pay 16,000 doctors, 66,000 teachers, others’

Daily Trust

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Frank Edoho Faces Fresh Allegations as Estranged Wife Breaks Silence

Published

1 hour ago

May 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Frank Edoho and Sandra Onyenucheya

Frank Edoho Faces Fresh Allegations as Estranged Wife Breaks Silence

Media personality Frank Edoho is facing fresh controversy following serious allegations of infidelity, emotional abuse, intimidation, and financial misconduct levelled against him by his estranged wife, Sandra Onyenucheya, amid the collapse of their marriage.

In a detailed social media statement, Sandra dismissed claims portraying her as unfaithful, insisting she had been unfairly labelled throughout the public fallout surrounding their separation. She described the situation as painful and said she was compelled to speak out to correct what she called long-standing misrepresentations about her character.

Sandra stated that she entered the marriage out of deep affection for Edoho despite resistance from her family, stressing that she remained committed even under difficult circumstances.

According to her, the marriage was allegedly marked by repeated acts of infidelity, which she claimed she later discovered through access to his private communications. She alleged that these discoveries revealed contacts with multiple women, including hotel visits, payments to women, and romantic engagements outside the marriage.

She also accused the broadcaster of subjecting her to years of emotional distress, claiming she endured humiliation, emotional trauma, and alleged physical abuse while remaining silent for a long period due to family considerations and their children.

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Sandra further alleged that she made significant financial contributions during the marriage, including assisting with the repayment of a vehicle loan and investing in property assets. She claimed that one of the properties she financially supported was later sold without her consent.

The estranged wife also accused Edoho of violating her privacy, alleging that he recorded private conversations and released them publicly, an action she described as deeply damaging and humiliating.

In another part of her statement, Sandra alleged that she was subjected to threats during arguments, claiming she was once told she would be harmed in a way that would permanently affect her appearance.

She said the situation eventually reached a breaking point when she feared for her safety, prompting her decision to leave the marriage permanently.

Sandra added that she remained silent for years due to her children and the pressure of public scrutiny, but decided to speak out so her side of the story would be understood in the future.

The allegations come amid ongoing public discussion surrounding the breakdown of the marriage, with both sides previously linked to competing claims and counter-claims in the media.

Neither Frank Edoho nor his representatives have issued a detailed public response to the latest allegations at the time of this report.

Frank Edoho Faces Fresh Allegations as Estranged Wife Breaks Silence

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El-Rufai Denies Wrongdoing As DSS Presents TV Interview In Court

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai Denies Wrongdoing As DSS Presents TV Interview In Court

The trial of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, took a dramatic turn on Monday after a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS) told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the agency uncovered alleged illegal phone interception involving the former governor through a television interview aired on Arise Television.

The witness, whose identity was concealed for security reasons and identified only as “APC,” appeared before the court as the first prosecution witness in the high-profile case involving alleged unlawful interception of phone conversations linked to National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.

Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, Oluwole Aladedoye (SAN), the DSS operative told the court that the agency had prior intelligence indicating that El-Rufai would appear on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme.

According to the witness, DSS operatives monitored the interview closely and later concluded that certain remarks made by the former governor amounted to a confessional statement.

“My Lord, the service got information that the defendant would appear on Arise TV Prime Time Show,” the witness said.

He explained that after watching the programme, he immediately briefed senior officials of the DSS.

“I told them that there was a confessional statement where the defendant said he tapped the conversation of the National Security Adviser,” the operative added.

The court heard that the DSS subsequently copied the interview into a flash drive and preserved it as part of the prosecution’s evidence in the case.

The prosecution later tendered the flash drive and a certificate of compliance before the court. Counsel to El-Rufai, Paul Erokoro (SAN), did not object to the admissibility of the materials.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik thereafter admitted both items as exhibits.

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Following the ruling, the prosecution applied for the interview video to be played openly in court, a request that was granted by the judge.

El-Rufai, dressed in a blue agbada, watched the footage from the dock alongside members of his legal team and other observers present in court.

During the interview played in court, the former governor spoke extensively about an alleged encounter with DSS operatives at the Abuja airport after returning from Egypt.

According to El-Rufai, security officials approached him at the airport and attempted to compel him to accompany them without presenting any formal invitation or official document.

“I came out of the plane and a young man came to me and said, ‘I am SSS and they would want to meet with me in our office,’” El-Rufai said in the recorded interview.

The former governor further alleged during the broadcast that the operation against him was ordered by the National Security Adviser.

According to him, information about the alleged directive was obtained through intercepted phone conversations.

“We listened to their calls, someone tapped the phone conversation and told us that he gave the order,” El-Rufai stated in the interview shown in court.

That statement immediately became one of the major issues raised by the prosecution in the ongoing trial.

The DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai on an amended five-count charge bordering on alleged unlawful interception of communications, breach of national security protocols, and offences connected to provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024 and the Nigerian Communications Act.

The prosecution alleged that the former governor unlawfully interfered with communications classified as part of Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai also accused security agencies of being used against him for political purposes.

He claimed he was being targeted because of political alignments linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambitions.

The former governor insisted he had nothing to hide and challenged anyone to produce evidence that he stole public funds during his time in office.

Proceedings were briefly interrupted after the audio quality of the video deteriorated during playback.

Following the technical issue, the prosecution requested additional time to produce a clearer version of the recording, a move the defence did not oppose.

Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter for continuation of hearing.

Earlier, the court granted El-Rufai bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum.

The judge ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 17 and must own landed property in either Maitama or Asokoro, Abuja.

The court also ordered the former governor to surrender all international passports and report monthly to the DSS headquarters pending the determination of the case.

Justice Abdulmalik further approved the prosecution’s request for DSS witnesses to testify under protection throughout the trial.

The court equally dismissed objections raised by the defence challenging the amended charges and granted accelerated hearing in the matter.

El-Rufai Denies Wrongdoing As DSS Presents TV Interview In Court

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ICPC Denies Blocking El-Rufai From Receiving Food, Medical Care In Detention

Published

4 hours ago

May 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

ICPC Denies Blocking El-Rufai From Receiving Food, Medical Care In Detention

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismissed allegations that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was denied access to food, family members, and medical care while in detention.

The anti-graft agency described the claims as “false and misleading,” insisting that the former governor has continued to receive medical attention and family visits in line with the commission’s detention protocols.

The controversy followed allegations by Mohammed Bello, the lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency and son of the former governor, who accused the ICPC of violating his father’s fundamental human rights.

Bello claimed that officials of the commission prevented El-Rufai’s wife from delivering food to him and also blocked his personal doctor from seeing him to discuss the outcome of recent medical examinations.

According to the lawmaker, the doctor was allegedly informed that written approval from the ICPC chairman was required before access could be granted.

However, speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, ICPC spokesperson, Okor Odey, rejected the allegations and maintained that the commission had acted within established procedures.

Odey explained that the agency operates an access-control policy that allows visitors into the detention facility between 9:00am and 6:30pm daily.

According to him, El-Rufai’s wife arrived at the facility around 7:00pm, after official visiting hours had closed.

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“The families of all defendants and suspects in ICPC custody, including the family in question, were duly informed of this protocol and have, until this incident, been in compliance,” Odey said.

He disclosed that one of El-Rufai’s wives and a housemaid had earlier delivered food to the former governor at least three times between 10:30am and 5:30pm on the same day.

The ICPC spokesman also said the commission maintains a visitors’ register containing details of all approved visits, including family members, legal representatives, and medical personnel.

Addressing allegations that El-Rufai’s doctor was denied entry, Odey said the medical personnel were only subjected to standard security and identification procedures before being granted supervised access.

“It is a standard security procedure,” he stated.

Odey further revealed that the former Kaduna governor had recently been allowed to visit both his dentist and eye doctor under ICPC escort.

He added that El-Rufai also has access to in-house medical personnel within the commission whenever necessary.

The ICPC stressed that the former governor’s detention was not politically motivated, noting that he remained in custody because he had yet to meet the bail conditions earlier granted by the court.

El-Rufai has been in the custody of the ICPC since February 19 over alleged financial impropriety linked to his administration as Kaduna State governor between 2015 and 2023.

The former governor was arraigned before the Kaduna State High Court on April 13 on an amended nine-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds.

The commission maintained that it would not be distracted by what it described as “dramatised narratives” aimed at undermining lawful institutional procedures.