₦airaland Forum

D’Tigress Head Coach, Rena Wakama, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s support for the Nigerian women’s national basketball team, the D’Tigress, describing his response to the team’s victory as “life changing.”

Speaking to State House correspondents on the reward President Tinubu honoured D’Tigress on the team’s historic fifth consecutive AfroBasket championship victory, Wakama expressed gratitude for the warm reception the team received at the Presidential Villa on Monday.

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.

She attributed their seamless and triumphant victory in Côte d’Ivoire to the team’s strong unity and unwavering passion.

“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.

“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.

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

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

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).

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

Putindbutt:
https://von.gov.ng/dtigress-coach-hails-president-tinubus-life-changing-support/

Putindbutt:
https://von.gov.ng/dtigress-coach-hails-president-tinubus-life-changing-support/

motymop:
They will give them their money after like 20 years...haha, that is how Nigeria works

A promise is just a promise on paper.

But come to think of it, this govt is Weird, they said we should all be using naira but they are quoting dollars to their sport team.

motymop:
They will give them their money after like 20 years...haha, that is how Nigeria works

A promise is just a promise on paper.

But come to think of it, this govt is Weird, they said we should all be using naira but they are quoting dollars to their sport team.

RollinTNDA:
If Tinubu give me 150k dollars
I will sing like a bird on autotune

Only God know how much Tinubu gave Reno that made Reno switch 360 and turn to Tinubu personal singing bird

99thEnemy:
Maybe the women will inspire the men to do more in both football and basketball.

helinues:
I'm ashamed of myself. At 49 I have no job or any source of income. God please help me.

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


There is absolutely nothing you can say to convince D'Tigress and Super Falcons Team members and their technical staffs that Tinubu's government no good....dem fit swear for you.

Their own hope has been renewed!

Houseofglam7:
Congratulations to them!
They did the nation proud!

helinues:


Within a month

Super Falcons won WAFCON Cup

D'Tigress won Afro Basket cup

In JULY 2025, Nigeria 🇳🇬 won the 2025 Gothia Cup, the world's largest youth football tournament in Sweden 🇸🇪

Nigeria Eagles 🇳🇬 won the U-16 tournament.

Beyond Limits 🇳🇬 won the U-17 tournament.

Sporting Supreme FC 🇳🇬 won the U-18 tournament.

Renewed Hope in sport enacted

Things plenty to use to campaign without rigging. Aje

helinues:


Within a month

Super Falcons won WAFCON Cup

D'Tigress won Afro Basket cup

In JULY 2025, Nigeria 🇳🇬 won the 2025 Gothia Cup, the world's largest youth football tournament in Sweden 🇸🇪

Nigeria Eagles 🇳🇬 won the U-16 tournament.

Beyond Limits 🇳🇬 won the U-17 tournament.

Sporting Supreme FC 🇳🇬 won the U-18 tournament.

Renewed Hope in sport enacted

[b]Things plenty to use to campaign without rigging. [/b]Aje

RollinTNDA:
If Tinubu give me 150k dollars
I will sing like a bird on autotune

Only God know how much Tinubu gave Reno that made Reno switch 360 and turn to Tinubu personal singing bird

ArcSEMPECJ:
Are you really serious with this or doing your aje in peace

So the winnings is as a result of APC and it is an achievement to APC or to Nigeria

APC under TINUBU should wins things like those winnings so that they can be clapped for and given $100,000 per APC member under our darling Daddy TINUBU....

We have a long way to go in this country with this myopic view of making all things political in this country....haba

motymop:
They will give them their money after like 20 years...haha, that is how Nigeria works

A promise is just a promise on paper.

But come to think of it, this govt is Weird, they said we should all be using naira but they are quoting dollars to their sport team.