Woman Of Substance:Courtney Dike Is An Example in Excellence For Rejecting $7,000 World Cup Bonus

A typical Nigerian girl is described thus; love for money first, yearning for material possessions and tasteful desires for pleasures sometimes beyond her reach

Strange news rocked the Nigerian sports world, and it should affect the entirety of the nation as a whole; American born, Nigeria’s female national team player, Courtney Dike shocked everyone, both male and female when she rejected world cup winning bonuses meant for every player of the under-20 team, Falconets

The 19 year-old Oklahoma State University student vehemently rejected the sum of N1.16m duly entitled to her, putting the interest of Nigeria first as she said her statement that wearing the colours of the Nigerian team is more important to her

Many would have attributed her action to the ignorance of a young growing girl like her, had it been that the parents themselves who were contacted; maybe to compel her to accept the money, also corroborated Courtney’s decision, reiterating that their daughter was not bred to go after money, but excellence

''When we called her mother to confirm the delivery of the allowances, she declined it and insisted that the opportunity of playing for Nigeria was all the reward the family needed,’’Sanusi Mohammed, NFF Head of Competition said.

Again talks about her not needing the money since she is from a well to do family, with her older brother, Bright Dike also been an active footballer for the Super Eagles and MLS club Toronto FC and every other of her siblings being well placed over there in the US

Nevertheless, it is not meant to forget that one thing every Nigerian footballer; male and female is after and will always be unless they learn from Courtney’s decision, is the call for bonuses when the job is not yet done

It is still close to forget the Super Eagles bonus row with the Nigeria Football Federation during the 2014 World Cup where the players held the country to ‘Ransom,’ boycotting training and threatening to boycott one of the games at in the tournament

Days after the Super Falcons returned from their 2014 AWC triumph in Namibia, they drummed calls for financial compensation, asking for more than they had been given in the years past

Bonus rows and negotiations are commonplace in Nigeria football with the players and the federation.

Considering the importance placed on finances than performances and excellence, it become more surprising, the actions of a 19 year-old young lady who had never played for Nigeria before; one who was born and bred in the western world where news and rumours of disheartening occurrences travail the little good that is ever heard of concerning Nigeria as a nation

Courtney’s decision is one action that should earn her a federate honour as an order of the federal republic

Already she is praised by members of the NFF; head of the Women League board, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedimma washed the young beautiful with words of adorable grandeur

‘’She is a star and patriotic Nigerian who put service to her fatherland above money. The minister is aware and we will push the act before the NFF so it can inspire others.’’