By Victor Nwegede
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has celebrated Nigeria’s D’Tigress star, Blessing Ejiofor, with a N30 million prize, a luxury duplex at the Civil and Public Health Servants Estate, and induction into the Ebonyi State Hall of Fame.
The announcement was made during the State Executive Council meeting at Centenary City, Abakaliki, where the governor hailed Ejiofor as “a great ambassador of the State” and a role model for aspiring athletes.
“Our state has a well-established reward system. We have approved her induction into the Ebonyi Hall of Fame, alongside a cash prize of N30 million and a duplex,” Nwifuru said, adding that her exploits proved she was “destined to be in this team.”
In a related development, the governor approved N50 million for the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports to construct a standard basketball court for both male and female teams in the state.
In her remarks, Ejiofor described the recognition as “a mirror for young players” and pledged to contribute to basketball development in Ebonyi.
The State Sports Commissioner, Prince Richard Idike, said the gesture would inspire upcoming athletes to aim higher, adding that Ejiofor’s Hall of Fame induction “cements her status as a symbol of sporting excellence, proving that discipline and dedication can lift dreams from the court to the corridors of honour.”
Ejiofor, a towering centre with a rich career spanning the U.S., Spain, and France, represented Nigeria at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and played a key role in D’Tigress’ historic fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title this year, solidifying Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s basketball.
Commissioner Idike also commended Governor Nwifuru for his steadfast investment in human capital development, talent nurturing, and the promotion of peaceful coexistence through sports.
