Wakama hails Tinubu’s ‘life-changing’ reward for D’Tigress

‎D’Tigress head coach, Rena Wakama, has praised President Bola Tinubu for his “life-changing” reward after the team’s historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket championship victory.

‎Speaking to State House correspondents, Wakama commended the generous gesture following the team’s reception at the Presidential Villa on Monday.

‎President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, awarded each player $100,000, a flat, and a national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

‎Wakama and the technical crew each received $50,000 in recognition of their vital contribution to the team’s continental triumph.

‎Wakama, the first woman to win back-to-back AfroBasket titles as coach, expressed sincere appreciation to the President and loyal Nigerian fans.

‎“We’re so thankful, so, so thankful for Your Excellency President Tinubu.

‎“This is life-changing for some of these girls, life-changing for us. This is what we need — renewed hope.

‎“We’re grateful for this and we look forward to even more support in the future,” Wakama said.

Coach Rena Wakama at the 2025 Afrobasket championship in Abidjan.

‎She credited the team’s unity and passion for making their victory run in Côte d’Ivoire smooth and successful.

‎“It was easy representing Nigeria — a country and sport that we love deeply.

‎“When you love your country, your teammates, and the game, everything falls into place,” she said.

‎Wakama, also an assistant coach at WNBA side Chicago Sky, earlier expressed hopes that her achievements would inspire more women to lead national teams.

‎“It breaks my heart, but I know change has started with me.

‎“To be a woman and get an opportunity to coach at this level is a good sign for others.

‎“I’m thankful to the NBBF president for trusting me to lead this team and do my job.

‎“I hope I’m not the last, and I hope I’ve inspired other women to take bold steps into coaching,” she said.

‎The 33-year-old tactician urged Nigerians to keep supporting the team ahead of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany. (NAN)

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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