Newly unveiled Naija Ratels FC player, now captain Onome Ebi has been given a land at Life Camp, one of the high breed areas in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barr. Paul Edeh, announced the huge property gift to Onome at the weekend during her unveiling at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.
Barr. 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 will 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, thereby making her the highest paid player in the history of women’s football in Nigeria.
The RSDF boss said, “I’m particularly elated today because what Onome brings to the Nigerian Women Football League is beyond just playing football. Her presence in the league will motivate young players in the country to aspire to achieve her feat.”
Barr. 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 stadium has ever been named after any woman.
“I believe 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 verbally, we will do what is required to celebrate the legend. And that is why today on behalf of RSDF, we will be gifting a parcel of land to Onome in Abuja. In addition to that, the Foundation will also take the burden of paying Onome’s salary off Naija Ratels.
Talking about the reason for identifying with Onome at such a time like this, Barr. Edeh said, “We are doing this for three reasons. One is to show that we have able-bodied men and women out there that can reach out and celebrate such a phenomenal woman.
“It takes courage to make such a sacrifice that Onome has made, because we live in a country that instead of seeking to celebrate a legend like Onome, we vilify them and attempt to radicle them.
“Onome Ebi is one Nigerian player who is very disciplined and has continued to maintain her real age till date, it takes courage to do that.”
On behalf of RSDF, its President also revealed more packages that seek to celebrate Onome while playing in Nigeria.
He said, “Also, in celebration of what she has done and will continue to do for the Super Falcons, we will make sure these three things happen – We will ensure that there will be billboards with Onome Ebi across the Federal Capital Territory.
“We will also ensure that you are in the media space as often as possible telling your story story to inspire young girls.
“The third thing we will seek to do is to see how Onome Ebi will not only play for Naija Ratels but will move round the country to train and play with various Women’s teams so that they can feel her impact.”
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 the 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 to think and believe that if they dare like I did, they can make history like I did in a climate where in most cases a woman have to work twice as much as a man would to achieve success.
“I strongly believe 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. It was not an easy decision for me because I had a lot of juicy offers but I believe Nigeria needs me right now.
“When I was much younger, I never had the opportunity to see or train with great legends like Florence Omagbemi and others who were my idols back then. Today, I’m a legend, making it in life as a footballer in one of the most difficult climate any girl could possibly hope to ply a trade like football. I believe my joining Naija Ratels FC, with very young sets of players, is the best way to share my story of success and inspire female youngsters across Nigeria and Africa.
“I believe if I retire now like a lot of critics have suggested, without first impacting the Nigeria Women Football ecosystem, I would have failed a nation that gave me an opportunity to become a legend and through which I made history. My goal is to continue to promote women’s football at all levels and inspire grassroots female players to aspire to be better than me and my colleagues.
“With Naija Ratels FC, I’ll continue to shine the light as a source of encouragement and beacon of hope to other players.”
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.
