Speaker Abbas, Deputy Celebrate D’Tigress For Emerging 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket Title Winners
By Balarabe Alkassim
Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu have celebrated Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for beating Mali at the final of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket and winning the trophy for a record fifth consecutive time.
The D’Tigress, coached by Rena Wakama, were crowned champions of the basketball tournament at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday.
In separate statements by their two media aides on Monday, the duo expressed their joy over the sterling performance of the Nation’s basketball team in the competition.
The Speaker in his message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi said, Nigeria has now made history as the first country on the continent to win women’s Afrobasket championships five consecutive times and remained unbeaten in the tournament for a decade—since 2015.
Speaker Abbas commended the female basketball team for making Nigeria proud, saying the victory marks another joyful moment for Nigerians home and abroad, especially as the women national football team, the Super Falcons, recently won the 10th WAFCON.
He noted that D’Tigress have further proven that women have the capability and the courage to cause positive changes to Nigeria, and he is now more emboldened to continue with his campaign for gender equality, especially women’s inclusion in politics and governance.
He added that he expects to see more women breaking barriers and records individually and collectively in other areas of human endeavour.
The Speaker congratulates the D’Tigress and called for their appreciation when they return to their home country with the trophy.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu in a statement by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, congratulated the nation’s women’s basketball team
He noted that the D’Tigress had extended their dominance in African women’s basketball following their historic victory at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship, where they clinched their fifth consecutive title.
Kalu hailed the team’s remarkable display of resilience, determination, and teamwork, describing them as an inspiration to the girl child.
The Deputy Speaker also commended the Coach, Rena Wakama and the crew for their outstanding leadership and strategic execution.
He said that their superb performance throughout the competition had made Nigeria proud.
Kalu said, “History Made Again by our Women! Big Congratulations to our incredible D’ tigress on winning the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title and becoming the first country in Africa to win this title 5 times consecutively.
“With this resounding victory over Mali, these women have made us all proud as a nation. What a moment for Nigeria, and what a legacy. Another reminder that our women are ready to take our nation to greater heights.
“Kudos to Coach Rena Wakama and the entire team for flying our flag high and qualifying us directly for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin. We are confident that you will come home with the trophy.”