EBONYI State governor Francis Nwifuru has rewarded D’Tigress forward Blessing Ejiofor with N30m and a duplex, while also approving a N50m basketball project in her honour.
The gesture follows Ejiofor’s role in helping Nigeria’s women’s basketball team secure a record fifth consecutive Afrobasket title in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Governor Nwifuru, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, described the player as a source of pride to the state and an inspiration to young girls.
“I am delighted to once again celebrate and congratulate our very own daughter, Blessing Munachi Ejiofor, one of the champions who brought prestige to our nation by securing a historic five-straight title in the African Women’s Basketball tournament in Abidjan, Ivory Coast,” he said.
The governor explained that Ejiofor was formally recognised during the state’s expanded executive council meeting, where she was inducted into the Ebonyi Hall of Fame.
“Yesterday, we honoured her at the expanded Executive Council Meeting of the State, acknowledging her outstanding achievements in Basketball, through which she has prominently placed Ebonyi State on a global map.
“Her dedication and journey to this stage serve as a beacon of inspiration for every Ebonyi girl child. She is a worthy ambassador of the State and we are proud of her,” Nwifuru added.
As part of the recognition, Ejiofor was awarded N30m and allocated a duplex in the state’s ongoing Civil and Public Servants Estate.
“Additionally, the State has made a donation of thirty million Naira to her and a duplex in our ongoing Civil and Public Servants Estate opposite Chiboy Motors,” the statement read in part.
The governor also praised Ejiofor’s work in empowering young girls through her foundation, noting her appeal for greater investment in youth basketball.
“We also recognise her efforts in empowering girls through the Muna Foundation’s Girls Empowerment Camp. She has implored the State to help groom young Ebonyi girls for the basketball sport.
“As such, in her honour, we have approved the sum of Fifty Million Naira for the State Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to build a befitting and professional basketball court for our young girls and boys talented in the sport.
“Once more, we congratulate her for making us proud,” the governor concluded.
Following their triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, President Bola Tinubu has also honoured the D’Tigress with a reward package that includes $100,000 for each player, $50,000 for every member of the coaching and technical crew, a three-bedroom flat each and also conferred on the players and their technical crew the prestigious national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger.