“The Beauty of Unintended Consequences That Happened To The Super Falcons Of Nigeria After Winning 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations”

After the final match of the Super Falcons, I watched how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called them immediately after they won to congratulate them after seeing Senator Oluremi focusing on the team from her kitchen.

 

I could not but read instant meaning to the fact that the first lady of Nigeria enters the kitchen for any reason let alone watch a football match.

 

These two events hinted me that Senator Oluremi Tinubu a Christian and Bola Ahmed Tinubu a Muslim shared some deep form of bond and connection even in their private life.

 

The most important part of my observation was how the Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade representing the Falcons while speaking with the President thanked the president for the payment and heeded her boss suggestion that they will pay the President a visit to give him the cup upon their arrival.

 

*This moment, her swift and last response, her carefully chosen choice of words, defined what will happen next, a young smart, sensitive and most importantly grateful lady. She understood the assignment.*

 

After doing the job and getting the laurels, it is always important that we demonstrate gratitude, give honor to whom honor is due and follow this act with one of the 48 laws of powers; *”never try to outshine your master”*.

 

Within 24 hours I got another exciting news to my already built up intrigue about the call the team had with the President, that call resonated with me in a lot of ways even as I casually and quietly reflected on it during the day in my quiet moments; the Super Falcons team have been rewarded with a National Award, a house each and cash gifts over $100,000.00 USD (10M each from the Governors).

 

Their plan was to win, but I do not think the outcome and consequences of their carefully and successfully executed plan was precedented and intended. They got more than what they bargained for and this is not to say it is by any means undeserving because it is actually most exciting. The joy of getting a generous reward gives lasting impression and fulfillment and makes the hard work worth it.

 

Their intention was to honor the CIC as a mark of deep gratitude and respect but the beautiful consequences that followed was both unintended and unprecedented so much so the Nigerian Governors’ Forum added their own portion to the Presidential gifts.

 

*It costs us nothing to say thank you again and again, but it costs us more when we show ingratitude, are quick to become entitled and attempt to dishonor people and take the credit away from our leaders.*

 

The Super Falcons did not just win a major trophy, but have found favour in the sight of the President and Commander In Chief of The Armed Forces who must have been troubled overnight by Senator Oluremi Tinubu on how he planned to receive his “August Visitors”. The Super Falcons gift has earned them a visit they offered to the President which he could not decline in spite of his busy schedule.

 

They have done so many things intentionally but the very little things they did consequently and how we can easily wave them off as not important, totally miss these scenarios and the unintended, unexpected and Presidential response they received in a most magnanimous way is unprecedented, positive, beautiful and marvelous in the whole Nations eyes.

 

Every opportunity we have to show gratitude in humility without expecting anything in return means a lot to those who God has put in position of grace, power and authority to favor us and bless us.

 

The Super Falcons have seized the brief moment of exchanging pleasantries post a major African tournament and have warmed their way into the heart of every Nigerian.

 

*We have all just witnessed how to use critical windows of opportunities to create impact, touch hearts and make magic happen for ourselves and those who really care about us and have the heart to be gracious towards us.*

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responded in a magnanimous and wonderful way. This is the heart of a leader, this is inspiring, this is motivation at its finest like we have never seen for a long time in the history of football in Nigeria.

 

This is a man of his words, who took a most difficult decision to remove oil subsidy because he knows that leadership is not a popularity contest, but about making difficult decisions borne out of compassion to save a nation being bleeded to death by oil cabals.

 

In spite of how a few sour grapes and naysayers have reacted with negativity and criticised this beautiful, unintended consequences, national and once in a lifetime gesture, I trust that He will make good his promise like he has always done from the day he took a brave and bold chance even against the wish of his directors to leave a promising career in oil and gas to venture into political leadership in the early 90s.

 

Congratulations Super Falcons

Congratulations to every Nigerian

God Bless Nigeria

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