By Onwa Ekor
Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, has gifted an indigenous soccer prodigy and member of Nigeria’s WAFCON gold-winning squad, Miracle Usani, with the sum of fifty million naira, a parcel of land, and a prestigious VVIP status.
The announcement came amid an atmosphere of excitement and pride, as Otu hosted a grand ceremony in honour of the young Super Falcons defender whose dazzling performances at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) helped propelled Nigeria to continental glory.
The event celebrated not only Usani’s sporting triumph but the spirit of excellence she represents for the state.
The ceremony brimmed with emotion as Otu conferred on Usani the esteemed VVIP status of Cross River, describing her as “our very own Miracle on the Pitch.”
He remarked that her exceptional display of skill and courage had brought honour, joy and inspiration to both the state and the entire nation.
“Today, I finally met with our star, our very own Miracle on the Pitch, whose extraordinary talent, alongside that of other young female players, has brought immense pride and joy to our nation, and most especially to us as a state,” the governor said with admiration.
As part of the honour, Otu announced that Usani would enjoy all privileges accorded to Very Very Important Persons in the state, particularly at official events.
He emphasized that the recognition was a symbol of hope and encouragement for young athletes who aspire to greatness through discipline, talent, and determination.
“This is our way of celebrating excellence and inspiring other young people to reach for greatness,” he added.
To further immortalize the moment, the governor approved a ₦50 million cash reward and the allocation of a parcel of land to the young football star.
The gesture has been widely applauded across the sporting community, with many describing it as a strong statement of support for women’s football in Nigeria.
For Miracle Usani, whose journey from the streets of Calabar to continental glory has been nothing short of remarkable, the honour marks another milestone in a career defined by resilience and brilliance.
As applause echoed across the stadium of public admiration, one truth stood tall: Cross River’s Miracle had not only conquered Africa, she had captured the heart of her home state.
