By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has rewarded Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, with Federal Government Savings Bonds worth N100 million each following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The reward package, announced on Wednesday at a special reception for the team at the State House, Abuja, also includes ₦100 million in cash for head coach Hakeem Busari and N50 million for each member of the technical crew.

The President was represented at the ceremony by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who presented the rewards on his behalf and congratulated the young champions for bringing honour to Nigeria and making history for African football.

The players’ rewards will be held in five-year Federal Government Savings Bonds, reportedly carrying an annual interest rate of 14 per cent, with the certificates held in trust through designated banks until the beneficiaries attain the stipulated age of 18.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, explained that the decision to invest the money rather than hand it over as immediate cash was deliberate, given the players’ young ages.

He said the arrangement was designed to protect their financial future while ensuring that they benefit from regular returns to support their education, football training and other needs.

According to Dikko, the investment would prevent a sudden influx of money from distracting the teenagers from their careers and personal development, allowing them to make informed financial decisions when they become adults.

The First Lady praised the players for their determination, discipline, humility and resilience, particularly their ability to recover from an opening-match defeat to Poland and go on to win six consecutive matches to lift the trophy.

Nigeria began its campaign with a 2-1 loss to Poland but bounced back impressively, defeating Puerto Rico, defending champions Korea DPR, Mexico and Venezuela before overcoming Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals.

In the final, the Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1, with Awawu Bashiru and Oluebube Umejiaku scoring the decisive goals to secure Nigeria’s maiden title in the competition.

The victory made Nigeria the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the first African women’s team to capture a FIFA World Cup title at any level.

Mrs Tinubu described the achievement as a landmark for Nigerian sports and a source of inspiration for millions of young girls across the country, urging the players to remain focused, disciplined and committed to greater accomplishments.

She also commended the coaching staff, medical personnel, sports administrators, parents, guardians and supporters whose contributions helped the team achieve the historic feat.

President Tinubu equally acknowledged the efforts of the NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, its Director-General, Bukola Olopade, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in supporting the development of Nigerian football.

Captain Harmony Chidi attributed the team’s success to faith, hard work and unity, recalling how the players rallied together after their opening defeat to remain determined throughout the competition.

She pledged that the team would continue working hard to achieve more success, describing the World Cup triumph as the beginning of a greater journey rather than the end of their ambitions.

“This is just a starting point. I will not say we have arrived. As young players, this is good and we have to keep working so that we can keep representing the country and winning more trophies,” she said.

Head coach Hakeem Busari also attributed the victory to teamwork, dedication and the support received from the Federal Government.

Beyond the financial rewards, the Flamingos’ historic achievement represents a major breakthrough for Nigerian and African women’s football, offering renewed hope for the development of young female talents and strengthening the country’s presence on the global sporting stage.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government has declared its readiness to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), assuring the international community of Nigeria’s capacity to deliver a successful event.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance on Wednesday, at a world press conference in Abuja, ahead of the Forum scheduled for November 15–22, with President Bola Tinubu serving as Chief Host.

Over 126 countries and leading international institutions are expected to participate.

Idris described the Forum as an opportunity to showcase Nigeria’s capacity and strengthen its role in global communication discourse.

He thanked the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and the African Public Relations Association (APRA) for selecting Nigeria to host the global and continental gatherings simultaneously. He noted that Nigeria is the first country in West Africa and the second in Africa to host the WPRF.

“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and particularly His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Chief Host of the historic 2026 World Public Relations Forum, I wish to express our profound appreciation to the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and the African Public Relations Association for the confidence reposed in Nigeria,” the Minister said.

Speaking on the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” Idris said the rapid transformation of the information ecosystem through digital platforms, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies had heightened concerns around misinformation, disinformation and declining public trust. He urged public relations professionals to uphold truth, accuracy, transparency, ethical standards and the public interest.

“Public relations professionals must recognise that their responsibility goes beyond managing reputations or promoting institutional interests. They have a duty to uphold truth, accuracy, transparency, ethical standards and the public interest,” he stated.

The Minister also highlighted the Federal Government’s support for the establishment of the UNESCO Category 2 International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja, describing it as a strategic intervention to equip citizens, particularly young people, with the skills to identify misleading information and navigate the digital environment responsibly.

He stressed that government communication must go beyond explaining policies to listening to citizens, addressing legitimate concerns and providing credible information that builds public trust.

“For governments, communication must be a two-way process. It must not only explain policies and programmes but also listen to citizens, address legitimate concerns and provide accurate information that enables people to make informed decisions,” he said.

Idris said the Ministry was working with NIPR and relevant institutions to coordinate protocol, security, logistics, hospitality and stakeholder engagement for the Forum. He welcomed delegates to Nigeria and urged them to explore the country’s cultural heritage, hospitality and economic opportunities.

“The 2026 World Public Relations Forum is an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its capacity, strengthen its international partnerships, and help shape the future of responsible communication. We are ready, our doors are open, our people are welcoming, and the Federal Government stands firmly behind this important undertaking,” the Minister declared.

Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, commended Idris for his support during Nigeria’s bid and preparations for the Forum. He recalled the Minister’s directive to the team to secure the hosting right and praised the contributions of government agencies and Ministry officials.

“You said, ‘Go, don’t come back without result.’ You gave us that marching order, and we made sure that we started it from there,” Neliaku recalled.

The Secretary-General of APRA, Dr Omoniyi P. Ibietan, described Nigeria’s hosting of the WPRF alongside the 37th APRA Conference as a historic opportunity for Africa to strengthen its collective voice and influence global communication discourse. He commended the Minister’s leadership and support, noting the importance of the continent’s participation.

“We want to speak with one voice as a continent,” Ibietan said.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Professor Justin Green, disclosed that more than 126 countries were expected at the Forum, alongside representatives of the United Nations, World Bank, African Union and European Commission.

He praised President Tinubu and Minister Idris for their support, describing the Minister’s commitment as crucial to bringing the event to Nigeria.

“Your minister, your minister, because without him, this event would not be happening,” Green declared.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to introduce targeted incentives for the printing industry, enforce local content policies and establish the Office of the Printer General of the Federation (PGF), following an assessment visit to the state-of-the-art facilities of Marvelous Mike Press Limited in Abuja.

The call followed an inspection tour by the Industrial Development and Export Concessions (IDEC) Committee of CIPPON, led by the Institute’s President, Koko T.

Clement, alongside the Ex-Officio, Dr. Samson Omoniyi Adesoye,  and members of the Industry, Trade and Investment Committee, headed by Suleiman Usman Olowoniyi.

The visit formed part of CIPPON’s nationwide assessment of printing facilities to determine the industry’s investment capacity and identify operators eligible for available industrial development and export concessions.

At Marvelous Mike Press Limited, the delegation was received by the company’s Managing Director, Printer Michael Akinola, who conducted the team around the facility and showcased its extensive production infrastructure and advanced printing technologies.

The delegation expressed amazement at the scale of investment and technological sophistication deployed by a single Nigerian-owned printing company without significant government incentives.

The facilities inspected demonstrated the industry’s capacity to handle large-scale printing, packaging and security document production to international standards.

Speaking after the inspection, CIPPON President, Koko Clement, described the investment as a strong indication that Nigeria possesses the resources, technology and professional expertise required to meet its domestic printing needs and compete effectively in the international market.

He said the experience had strengthened the Institute’s resolve to intensify its engagement with the Federal Government, particularly on the need to ensure that educational books and other government-related printing jobs are undertaken within Nigeria.

“What we have witnessed at Marvelous Mike Press is beyond imagination. The scale of investment by a single Nigerian entrepreneur, without government incentives, demonstrates the enormous capacity and readiness of our printing industry. If government recognises and supports this capacity, there will be no justification for taking our educational book printing jobs outside the country,” Koko stated.

He expressed concern that despite its enormous economic potential, employment opportunities and contribution to national development, the printing industry has continued to receive inadequate attention in government incentive programmes, concessions and industrial interventions.

According to him, the facilities visited possess modern technologies capable of producing millions of copies of books, packaging materials and security documents while meeting internationally recognised quality standards.

Koko further disclosed that Nigerian printing companies are already undertaking substantial printing and packaging contracts for other African countries, demonstrating their competitiveness and readiness to serve wider regional markets.

“This is not just about printing. We have facilities in Nigeria handling high-volume printing and packaging assignments for other African countries with precision and quality comparable to the best in the world. Nigerian printers are not asking government to create capacity for them.

“We already have the technology, expertise, manpower and investment. What we need is the right policy framework and political will to unlock this potential,” he said.

The CIPPON President explained that retaining printing contracts within Nigeria would generate far-reaching economic benefits beyond the printing companies themselves. Such a policy, he noted, would stimulate demand for locally produced paper, printing inks, finishing materials and packaging products, thereby strengthening several interconnected industries.

He maintained that the initiative would advance the local content objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while reducing capital flight, conserving foreign exchange and expanding employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.

In a major policy recommendation, CIPPON urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider establishing the Office of the Printer General of the Federation (PGF) or the Printers Commission of Nigeria (PCN) to provide institutional leadership, coordination and effective regulation of the country’s printing industry.

The Institute believes that such an institution would provide a dedicated government framework for developing printing policies, promoting local production, protecting domestic printing jobs, coordinating industry stakeholders and strengthening the entire printing value chain.

“The establishment of the Printer General of the Federation will give the Federal Government a focused institutional structure for coordinating printing policies, enforcing local printing requirements, protecting employment and ensuring that printing contracts generated in Nigeria are retained for Nigerian printers. This is the missing link in building a productive and globally competitive printing economy,” Koko added.

CIPPON also called on the Federal Ministry of Education, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and all state governments to immediately strengthen the implementation of local content policies by ensuring that educational books at primary, secondary and tertiary levels are printed in Nigeria.

The Institute stressed that the country stands to save billions of naira in foreign exchange, create hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities, expand the operations of local paper mills, stimulate ink and packaging manufacturing, and accelerate economic growth if printing activities are domiciled within the country.

Koko therefore appealed to the Federal Government to recognise the printing industry as a strategic pillar of national industrialisation and give Nigerian printers the necessary policy support to maximise its potential.

“Printing in Nigeria is a huge economic opportunity. It can save billions of naira in foreign exchange, create jobs for our youths, revive our paper mills, strengthen manufacturing and grow the national economy. It is time for government to believe in Nigerian printers and give them the opportunity to handle the country’s printing needs. Nigerian printing jobs must remain in Nigeria for Nigerians,” he declared.

Meanwhile, CIPPON disclosed that the IDEC assessment exercise would continue across other printing facilities nationwide as part of efforts to identify investments and operators that can benefit from the scheme.

The Institute consequently appealed to printing companies and individual practitioners who have invested in modern printing equipment and machinery to contact the CIPPON President to initiate the necessary IDEC assessment processes and procedures.

The Institute reaffirmed its commitment to promoting investment, strengthening professional standards, expanding local printing capacity and positioning Nigeria as a major printing and packaging hub in Africa.