Nwifuru Rewards D’Tigress Star Ejiofor with ₦30m, Apartment, Hall of Fame honor

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has honored D’Tigress basketball star, Munachi Blessing Ejiofor, with ₦30 million, a duplex at the Civil and Public Health Servants Estate, and induction into the Ebonyi State Hall of Fame.

The governor made the announcement during the State Executive Council meeting held at the New Government House, Centenary City, Abakaliki.

Governor Nwifuru who was visibly elated, praised Ejiofor for her outstanding contribution to Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, describing her as a great ambassador of the State.

“My interview with her proved she is destined to be in this team,” he said. 

“Our state has a well-established reward system. We have approved her induction into the Ebonyi Hall of Fame, alongside a cash prize of ₦30 million and a duplex.”

Nwifuru also announced the release of ₦50 million to the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports for the construction of a standard basketball court for both male and female teams in the state.

In her response, Ejiofor described the honor as a mirror to young players aspiring to excel in sports, assuring them of her continued support in basketball development.

The state Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Richard Idike, commended the governor’s gesture, noting that it would motivate upcoming athletes to pursue excellence in their careers.

Blessing Ejiofor is a centre player for Nigeria’s D’Tigress with an impressive track record in international basketball.

She honed her skills at Vanderbilt University, Chipola College, and West Virginia University, where she earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors. 

Her professional career includes stints with clubs in Spain and France, and she represented Nigeria at the 2024 Women’s Olympic Basketball Tournament in Paris. 

A key figure in D’Tigress’ fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title in 2025, Ejiofor has helped cement Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s basketball.