My Tuesday morning didn’t exactly start in glory. On my way to Ikeja, I got caught up in a commotion around Egbeda and inhaled a good dose of tear gas. Not the ideal breakfast.
Weeks after the Super Falcons’ WAFCON triumph and the team’s return to Nigeria, the President’s promises to reward the players and backroom staff had been the talk of the town. But one question kept popping up: What about the journalists who covered it?
No money. No OON honours. Definitely no flats in Abuja.
Some argued we were “just doing our jobs” and shouldn’t expect anything. But veteran journalist Godwin Enakhena had a different opinion.
The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) women’s basketball team, won the Nigeria Women’s Basketball League back-to-back. To mark the achievement, their director, Enakhena, hosted a get-together, not just for the team, but also to celebrate the journalists who covered the WAFCON in Morocco.
Present were some notable sports figures: Madam Aisha Falode (Mama Sports), sports presenter Mozez Praiz, who MCed the event and, of course, several journalists.
It was my first time meeting Enakhena and sitting down with Madam Aisha and Mozez. Madam Aisha spoke passionately about the huge feats achieved by women in sports in recent months, from the success of the Super Falcons and D’Tigress to MFM Basketball’s dominance. She thanked and encouraged the journalists, urging us to keep doing the good work. She even shared a personal confession: she has tried her hand at content creation on social media but still couldn’t get the hang of it. Maybe she should meet the likes of Joy (Euphoria Sticks) for lessons, just joking.
Listening to someone I grew up watching on TV was special. Mozez Praiz also did a great job, mixing humour with praise for the journalists, commending the way we combined our professional duties with becoming passionate fans, cheering the Super Falcons in Morocco.
And then there was Godwin, the amazing host. He didn’t say much, but his organisation and presence spoke volumes. The event had his fingerprints all over it.
We aslo heard from MFM team captain Ukamaka Okoh, their coach Ochuko Owolabi (previously known as Lawal Okworogun Ochuko), Junior D’Tigress captain Wandoo Marvis Hembam, and journalists who shared insights from their journeys.
MFM captain Ukamaka Okoh revealed the formula for their back-to-back titles:
“God first, because we always put him first in everything we do. Hard work and love within the team ensured we continued to succeed. There will be issues, but with love and encouragement from each other, we always pull through.”
She admitted the journey hadn’t been easy, with fights and setbacks along the way, but vowed they were going for a three-peat. She thanked Enakhena for his support, love, and encouragement.
Coach Ochuko Owolabi acknowledged the challenges but expressed belief in her squad:
“People doubted us, but I kept pushing the girls to keep shocking them. We’ll keep going.”
Captain Wandoo Marvis Hembam spoke candidly about Nigeria’s debut at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in the Czech Republic.
Ranked 16th before the tournament, they faced huge challenges, including poor preparation. But their self-belief paid off:
“We didn’t want to leave ranked the same way we came. Beating China was historic, and we eventually finished 12th.”
This wasn’t just about speeches. There was food, chicken and chips for starters, a main course, shawarma, and drinks to wash it down. And, of course, some fun: a flip-the-bottle challenge with a ₦5,000 cash prize.
I stayed glued to my seat. I wasn’t about to embarrass my community in public. Congratulations to the winners, free ₦5,000 in this economy is no small feat.
Before leaving, I finally got my long-awaited photo with Mozez Praiz, after missing the chance when I first met him in 2019.
By the time I headed home, the morning tear gas was a distant memory. I realised I’d been part of a special moment in Nigerian sports , one that honoured not just athletes, but the people who tell their stories.
I may not have gotten the President’s OON honour, but WWJ (WAFCON Winning Journalist) has a nice ring to it.
