By Amaechi Agbo

The Director-General, National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Barr. Mary Ekpere-Eta has poured encomium on the assistant coach of the Super Falcons, Maureen Mmadu.

Barr. Ekpere-Eta who made the commendation during the official induction of the coach into the Nigeria Women Hall of Fame in Abuja Thursday, went on to explain that the Centre decided to induct Ms Mmadu into the 114 prestigious and noble women of impeccable record due to her humility and the fact that she is the first Nigerian woman to be among the ‘century players’ in the world and the first to reach the milestone in Nigeria. She added that the Centre also recognised her as the first Nigerian woman to coach a top European Club.

“We are here to celebrate Maureen Mmadu, the first Nigerian coach to manage a top European club and the first player to clock 101 caps for the Super Falcons. 

“It is most appropriate to celebrate every success achieved by Nigerian woman in view of her role and the road she passes through towards attaining the greatness. 

“Nigerian women achieve a lot for the Nigeria country but most times, these achievements are uncelebrated. It is on this basis that Nigeria Women Hall of Fame was established.

“The celebration dates back to pre-colonial, colonial and the contemporary Nigeria society. It is about celebrating the unlimited potentials of Nigeria woman. 

“We are proud of our inductees. And we thank Ms Mmadu for being here today. We did the induction last two weeks but because she was on official national assignment in France with the Super Falcons, we decided to shift it till today (Thursday) to officially induct her,” she said.

Speaking during the investiture, the Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick commended the NCWD for the award and appreciated the effort of Coach Maureen Mmadu and her impact in football development in Nigeria and its history.

Pinnick who was represented by the Assistant Secretary-General of the federation, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme noted that the NFF will continue to provide enabling environment for Nigeria women to thrive in football irrespective of their background

“I say a big Thank you to the organisers for deeming it feat to honour Nigeria women who have personally achieved so many things for their lives and the country.

“I am very happy for you, Coach Maureen; thank you for all you have done for the country. You have done well for yourself. You played three World Cups as a player and two Olympics for the Super Falcons. We thank God for preserving you. The NFF will continue to create enabling platform for our young girls to earn a livelihood in football irrespective of their background. 

“We are happy for you, and very proud of you. Congratulations to you.” 

On her part, former Olympic medallist and Anambra State Sports Ambassador, Mary Onyali, MFR, extolled the virtues of Coach Maureen Mmadu and urged her not to relent.

“2004 was our meeting point, I was the captain of Team Nigeria. From then till now, you have remained the woman you are. Thank you for all you have done for Nigerian woman and Nigeria.

“We have been put in a corner and our greatness and strides for our motherland greatly underappreciated. It will interest you to know that of all the medals we have won in Olympics, women accounted for 85% of them.

“I see your induction into Nigeria Women Hall Fame as a stepping stone. The induction is for the future of Nigeria women. I am standing here as the Ambassador of Sports in Anambra State, The Light of the Nation, to say thank you,” she concluded.