By Hamilton Nwosu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced his decision to dispatch a high-level delegation to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to support Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, ahead of their 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket final against Mali on Sunday.
The President had said the presence of the delegation at the Palais des Sports de Treichville is intended to boost the morale of D’Tigress, who secured their fifth straight AfroBasket final berth with a hard-fought 75-68 semi-final victory over Senegal on Saturday.
This was contained in a statement released on Sunday via Tinubu’s official X( formerly Twitter).
The delegation, led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, included Chairman House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Ahmadu, Minister, Women Affairs Imaan Suleiman, Minister, Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, Minister, (State) Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Sunday Dare, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Engagement and New Media Strategy, O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Office of the Chief of Staff), Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, and Senior Special Assistant to the President (Office of the First Lady), KukoyI Olubusola.
He wrote: “I have dispatched a presidential delegation to Abidjan to stand with our superlative D’Tigress as they pursue a fifth consecutive AfroBasket title for Nigeria. #MissionV
“Led by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, this team of senior government officials represents the full weight of our national pride, belief, and support.
“Our girls have shown character, discipline, and the Nigerian spirit in every game.
“As they prepare for the final in two hours, we stand behind them – not just as fans, but as a grateful nation inspired by their excellence. Go for gold. Go for glory, girls! ”
