Hon. Umar Farouk Arisekola-Alao, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos made history on Saturday by defeating Japan 2-1 in the final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, becoming the first African team to win the competition.

‎In his congratulatory message, the former Commissioner for Youth & Sports in Oyo State, described the victory as a triumph of resilience, discipline, teamwork and commitment, commending the players for their determination to overcome an early setback in the tournament and maintain their focus through to the final.

“The Flamingos have given Nigeria and the African continent another reason to celebrate. Their journey to the title, especially their response to the opening defeat and the determination they showed throughout the competition, is a lesson in resilience, hard work and the rewards of commitment. They have demonstrated that with the right support, preparation and opportunity, our young people can compete and succeed at the highest level.”

‎The APC candidate also used the occasion to restate his belief in youth development as a critical component of national progress, noting that the success of the Flamingos reinforces the need for deliberate investment in young people across sports, education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and other areas of human development.

‎He maintained that young Nigerians should have access to opportunities, facilities, mentorship and institutional support that would enable them to discover and develop their talents, adding that sporting success should not be left to individual determination alone but supported by a system that identifies, nurtures and sustains emerging talents.

‎“As a candidate seeking to represent Ibadan North Federal Constituency, I believe youth development must be central to our priorities. We must create opportunities for our young people to learn, acquire relevant skills, develop their talents and build sustainable livelihoods. Whether in sports, education, technology or enterprise, our young people deserve the support and platforms to fulfil their potential.”

‎He congratulated the players, technical crew, the Nigeria Football Federation and everyone who contributed to the team’s success, expressing hope that the historic victory would inspire more young Nigerians, particularly girls, to pursue their ambitions with confidence and determination.