For Oluebube Umejiaku, winning the Golden Ball at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was more than a personal sporting achievement. The Flamingos forward says her determination to succeed in football is driven by a desire to give her mother a better life after years of hardship.

Speaking to BBC News Pidgin, the Nigerian teenager opened up about growing up in a family with limited financial resources and the challenges that have shaped her ambition.

“It’s not easy coming out from a family that has nothing. It was a very big challenge for me to make it in life. No matter how, in this football career, I won’t give up. I cannot give up,” she said.

Umejiaku explained that her mother’s experiences remain her strongest motivation, particularly the way people have treated her.

“I can’t give up because of my mother; she has suffered a lot. I need to take her out of where she is. People insult her, talk to her anyhow. Even when I’m there, they talk to her anyhow,” she added.

The forward said she regularly prays for recognition and success, hoping that her achievements will change how people perceive and treat her mother.

Her determination has already produced a remarkable breakthrough. Umejiaku played a decisive role in Nigeria’s historic campaign in Morocco, where the Flamingos became the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Although she did not start Nigeria’s opening 2-1 defeat to Poland, she came off the bench to score the team’s first goal of the tournament. She went on to contribute goals or assists in every match she featured in.

She scored against North Korea and Mexico, won the late penalty that secured Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Venezuela, assisted a goal against Brazil in the semi-final and scored in the 2-1 final victory over Japan.

Her performances earned her the tournament’s Golden Ball, recognising her as the competition’s outstanding player.

Reflecting on the achievement, Umejiaku revealed that she never imagined receiving such recognition when she began playing football at the age of seven. She also credited her mother’s constant encouragement during the tournament for helping her maintain belief in herself.

For the young forward, the Golden Ball is an important milestone, but her ambition stretches beyond individual awards. She wants to build a successful football career that will transform her family’s circumstances and give her mother the comfort she believes she deserves.

Governance expert Joe Abah has confirmed he received a full refund of his flight ticket from United Nigeria Airlines after a six-hour flight delay.

Mr Abah disclosed that the airline refunded his ticket within 12 hours of his request and offered him a 50 per cent discount on a future flight for four months.

In a post on X on Thursday, Mr Abah said the airline has apologised, refunded his money, and offered compensation following the disruption to his Enugu-Abuja journey.

“I can confirm that I have now received a full refund from @flyunitedng and that the refund came within 12 hours of my making the request,” he wrote.

“They also offered compensation of 50 per cent off a future flight for the next four months. They have thus apologised, offered compensation, and speedily refunded my money. These are good remedial steps,” he added.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on Wednesday that United Nigeria Airlines apologised to Mr Abah over the delay, acknowledging that its communication and follow-up with affected passengers fell below expectations after he called out the airline on X and questioned its handling of the disruption.

Mr Abah had said his flight, scheduled to depart Enugu for Abuja at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, was delayed until 3 p.m., prompting him to demand an immediate refund and question the airline’s explanation.

United Nigeria Airlines, in its response, said its aircraft encountered worsening weather conditions while approaching Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, forcing it to divert to Anambra in line with safety procedures.

The airline said weather conditions can vary across routes and airports and change quickly, explaining why other aircraft might land while its own could not.

It also acknowledged that keeping passengers adequately informed remains its responsibility, even though weather-related disruptions are sometimes beyond its control.

Following the airline’s response, Mr Abah demanded an immediate refund after purchasing another airline ticket to complete his journey.

The airline subsequently asked him to submit a refund request through its official website, promising immediate processing rather than the usual seven working days.

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Mr Abah’s latest confirmation indicates the refund was completed within 12 hours of his request.

The development resolves the refund dispute and highlights how public complaints draw attention to passenger concerns over flight delays, communication, and refund procedures among domestic airlines.

Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Regulations contain consumer protection provisions covering flight delays, cancellations, passenger assistance and compensation in qualifying circumstances.

The NCAA advises passengers to first lodge complaints with airlines and escalate unresolved cases to its Consumer Protection Department.