By joshua 
Ebonyi Governor Gifts D’Tigress Star Ejiofor ₦30m, Apartment, Hall of Fame Honor
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has honored D’Tigress basketball star, Munachi Blessing Ejiofor, with ₦30 million, a duplex at the Civil and Public 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 records 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.
In a related development, Governor Nwifuru inaugurated chairmen and members of of Ebonyi State civil service commission and Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission respectively.
While addressing the newly inaugurated appointees, the Governor charged them to show high level of commitment and dedication to their official duties by justifying the confidence reposed in them.
In an interview, the Chairman of Ebonyi State civil service commission Lady Virginia Oketa and secretary of EBSIEC Dr Fidelis Uguru Nwele assured to be committed to their duties and never to disappoint the Governor.
In their separate good will messages, the former minister of State for power and steel Chief Goddy Ogbaga, federal commissioner public complaint commission Dr. Chris Achi, the chairman local Government service commission in Ebonyi State Chief Romanus Nwasum, SA to the Governor on new media Hon. Leo Oketa, member 1 Ebonyi State civil commission Chief Chris Uchaji and a business mogul Mr. Monday Elom among others praised Governor Nwifuru for appointing technocrats to man the commissions while urging the appointees to endeavor to live up to the expectation by making the Governor proud and wished them well in their new positions.
Meanwhile, the Governor received the Minister of information and national orientation,Mohammed Idirs who was in the State for two day working visit.