D’Tigress Player Receives N30m, N50m project, in Ebonyi

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.

“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.