Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has celebrated Francesca Ordega, one of the standout players at the recently concluded 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations.
At a dinner held in her honour on Thursday night at the new Banquet Hall of the Government House in Makurdi, the governor announced a series of rewards for the Benue-born football star. These included a cash gift of ₦50 million, a three-bedroom house in Makurdi, and a street to be named after her.
Governor Alia praised Ordega for her remarkable performance and urged young girls to draw inspiration from her dedication and resilience.
In addition, he awarded ₦10 million to the coach who mentored Ordega during her early football career in Benue.
“Today, we are singing the nation’s common song of victory with one of us. With the one whom God has chosen and elected to represent us.
“The one who has been the great ambassador of this state in sports in the last five victories of the WAFCON.
“She is truly an inspiration to everyone. She is an inspiration to all the young ladies coming up to play. I invite parents to allow their daughters to get into the field.
“Here is a great shining example of once you allow them, guide them, and they are coached, tomorrow we shall all go to the national and come back to the state to celebrate them.
“I want all of us to encourage our young ladies to do sports,” he said
In her response, the international player expressed gratitude for the support from the state and Nigeria, and called for stakeholders to collaborate in sports development and infrastructure.
She encouraged Benue youths to embrace peace and love for one another and admonished them to queue behind the policies of the state governor to drive progress.
Ordega had earlier visited the emergency camp of victims of the Yelwata attack located at the International Market, Makurdi, where he donated items.
“Let’s support sports development. Let’s invest in sports infrastructure, training programmes, and talent identification initiatives by providing our young athletes with the resources they need.
“We can actually harness the next generation of champions and promote education. Education is the foundation of any prosperous society.
“We can create scholarship programmes for young girls who excel in sports directly by ensuring that they have access to quality education while pursuing their dreams,” she said.
She further urged Benue youths to embrace peace and love for one another and support the Governor to succeed.