Ebonyi Governor Rewards D’Tigress Star Ejiofor with N30m, Duplex and Basketball Project

Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, has honoured D’Tigress forward Blessing Munachi Ejiofor with a cash gift of N30m, a duplex, and the approval of a N50m basketball project in her name, following her contribution to Nigeria’s fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sport360NG reports.

Nwifuru, in a statement released on Saturday via his official Facebook page, described the 6ft 5in star as a pride of Ebonyi and a role model to young girls in the state.

“I am delighted to once again celebrate and congratulate our very own daughter, Blessing Munachi Ejiofor, who helped our nation achieve a historic fifth straight African Women’s Basketball crown in Abidjan,” he wrote.

Ejiofor was formally recognised during the state’s expanded executive council meeting, where she was also inducted into the Ebonyi Hall of Fame. The governor said her commitment and achievements had placed the state on the global sporting map.

“To acknowledge her outstanding achievements in basketball, we honoured her at the executive council meeting. Her journey is an inspiration to every Ebonyi girl child, and she remains a worthy ambassador of our state,” Nwifuru said.

As part of the recognition, Ejiofor received N30m and was allocated a duplex at the state’s Civil and Public Servants Estate. The governor further announced a N50m project to construct a standard basketball facility for young talents across Ebonyi, in Ejiofor’s honour.

He also commended her humanitarian work through the Muna Foundation’s Girls Empowerment Camp, which advocates greater opportunities for young girls in sports.

Meanwhile, following D’Tigress’ historic AfroBasket triumph, President Bola Tinubu also rolled out a reward package for the team, $100,000 for each player, $50,000 for members of the technical crew, as well as a three-bedroom flat each. The President further conferred on them the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).