Actor Ime Bishop Umoh, popularly known as Okon Lagos, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to extend national honours and financial rewards to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Nigerian Police and the armed forces, following the recent recognition given to the Super Falcons.
In a post shared on Instagram on Monday, the Nollywood star praised the President for honouring the WAFCON-winning Super Falcons, describing the gesture as inclusive and commendable.
“With specific reference to the Super Falcons and Youth Corps members, I posit that it’s commendable how Mr President is splashing out handsome rewards and incentives for excellent service to our country,” he wrote.
“It’s more impressive and inclusive that they are not in the political class. I humbly wish to add this as an earnest plea, Mr President sir — please extend this largesse to the Nigerian Police, the military, especially the ones who put their lives on the line at the frontline of war against violence, crimes, terror, and insurgency. There has to be a Nigerian first for all to be Nigerian.”
Bishop Umoh’s post came after President Tinubu announced $100,000 cash rewards, three-bedroom apartments and the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honour for each member of the Super Falcons and their coaching crew, following their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.
The award ceremony was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on July 28.
While the gesture was widely praised, it also sparked debate online, with many Nigerians questioning why other critical sectors have not received similar recognition.
One follower responded to Umoh’s post, saying, “If all the military and police forces are rewarded handsomely, no one will even talk about this.”
Another commented, “Mr. President is legitimately only concerned with business wey go bring funds.”
A third person added, “All the rest organizations no bring medals and trophies to the country. The country is only sponsoring people that brought home trophy, because Mr. President know say na money dey talk.”
Meanwhile, rights activist Omoyele Sowore also criticised the gesture, saying it was unfair to retired police officers who spent decades in service without equivalent benefits.
“Super Falcons won WAFCON, trained for one year, played for one month, and got $100,000 (N150 million) each and houses! Police officers protected them for decades … worked for 35 years, retired with just $1,500 (N2 million), no houses, no medical care and a small pension,” Sowore wrote on Facebook.
