Newly unveiled Naija Ratels FC player, and captain, Onome Ebi has been given a land at Life Camp, one of the high brow areas in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Paul Edeh, announced the huge property gift to Onome at the weekend during her unveiling at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
Edeh who disclosed that the offer was in line with the Foundation’s resolve to continuously lift the status of Women football in Nigeria, also said RSDF would take responsibility for the monthly payment of Onome’s salary as Naija Ratels player.
He then revealed that Onome who is also the Super Falcons captain will earn N1.5 million monthly, an amount which no woman player plying her trade in Nigeria had earned.
The RSDF boss said, “I’m particularly elated today because what Onome brings to the club is beyond just playing football. Her presence would also motivate other players of the club to bring out their best and aspire to be the best, play for Super Falcons and so on”.
Edeh, the incumbent Chairman of Benue State Football Association who spoke extensively on why legends and others who had done Nigeria proud should be recognised and celebrated said, “Today we have Stephen Keshi stadium and some others named after men who have also done Nigeria proud, but no one is named after any woman.
“The best way to celebrate a woman who has not only made Nigeria but Africa proud is to name one of the stadia after Onome Ebi. For us at the RSDF, we have been at the forefront of developing Women’s football for almost five years now.
“We are not only going to celebrate Onome, we will do what is required to celebrate the legend. And that is why today on behalf of RSDF, we will be announcing a parcel of land at Life Camp Abuja for Onome. In addition to that, the Foundation will also take the burden of paying Onome’s salary off Naija Ratels.
Earlier, Naija Ratels Chairman, Mrs Alisson James-Jegede, who went down the memory lane on how she met Ebi before she joined Naija Ratels said, “One thing that struck me as I assumed office as the Chairman of Naija Ratels FC is how do we give back to girl-child in the society and I got talking with the legend Onome Ebi.
“What amazed me is her desire to return home and see how she can give back to the society. To me, it’s like a fulfilled dream. She is here not just to play for the club after rejecting other juicy offers but to offer whatever she can as a player to support the younger ones and join in their building process. It is just a matter of time, Naija Ratels will produce World stars who will dazzle beyond Africa.”
Responding, Onome who will be wearing Jersey number 5 said she choose Naija Ratels as a veritable platform to impact and give back to Nigeria, adding, “my joining Naija Ratels is beyond playing football. It’s about inspiring young upcoming female players from the grassroots. I strongly think my story won’t be complete if I don’t accomplish the goal of giving back to the Nigerian league, which nurtured me to stardom.”
NWFL Chairperson, Nkechi Obi, ex-international Abdul Sule among other dignitaries, the entire management, technical crew and players of Naija Ratels attended the unveiling ceremony which also showcased the club’s new Jerseys for the upcoming season.
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