Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday night hosted a grand dinner in honor of Benue-born Super Falcons star Francesca Ordega, presenting her with N50 million and a three-bedroom apartment in Makurdi.
The event, held in the state capital, celebrated Ordega’s remarkable achievements as a five-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champion, most recently contributing to Nigeria’s victory at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
Governor Alia, during the presentation, hailed Ordega as “the greatest sports ambassador” Benue has produced in recent times.
He announced plans to rename a major street in her honor, recognizing her as an inspiration for young girls and a symbol of excellence.
“Today, we celebrate one of our own, chosen by God to represent us. She has been a great ambassador for Benue in sports, shining through five WAFCON victories,” Alia said.
The governor also gifted N10 million to the coach who nurtured Ordega’s talent in Gboko, acknowledging the critical role of grassroots mentorship in her journey to becoming an international football icon.
Alia urged parents to encourage their daughters to pursue sports, citing Ordega’s resilience as a model.
“Guide them, coach them, and tomorrow we shall celebrate them at the national level,” he added, emphasizing the importance of sports in empowering young women.
In her remarks, Ordega expressed gratitude to the state and Nigeria for their support, calling for increased investment in sports development.
“Let’s support grassroots sports, invest in infrastructure, training programs, and talent identification. By providing resources, we can harness the next generation of champions,” she said.
Ordega also advocated for scholarship programs to ensure young female athletes have access to quality education alongside their sporting careers.
She urged Benue youths to embrace peace and support Governor Alia’s administration for the state’s progress.
The event saw additional highlights, with Mr. Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace and the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach, commending Alia’s commitment to sports and entertainment.
Idibia announced the upcoming Benue Wild Talent Hunt show, featuring a N50 million star prize, and plans for an interstate carnival to promote talent and unity.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) also honored Governor Alia with a special award for his contributions to Nigerian football, recognizing his support for athletes like Ordega.
