D’Tigress Player Gets ₦30m, Duplex From Governor Weeks After Tinubu’s $100K Prize
- Blessing Ejiofor has been rewarded with ₦30m and an apartment by Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru
- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gifted the D'Tigress $100,000 each for winning the AfroBasket Championship in Ivory Coast
- Nigerians have commended the South East Governor for extending the gesture to the basketball player
Nigeria's women's basketball team, D'Tigress, have defended their AfroBasket Championship title with a 78-64 victory over Mali in Ivory Coast.
D'Tigress won their fifth consecutive crown, becoming the first African basketball team to achieve this feat, and their seventh title.
Source: Getty Images
The team lost the first quarter by five points (21-26) and fought back in the other quarters, winning 20-15, 20-15 and 17-8.
Ezinne Kalu was the star of the night, scoring a match-high 20 points, while Amy Okonkwo scored 19 points to claim a big victory for the team.
Nigeria have now won 29 consecutive matches in the competition, with their last loss coming in 2015.
Coach Rena Wakama has won her second consecutive title and made a solid impression at the Paris 2024 Olympics, losing to the USA in the quarterfinals.
Amy Okonkwo made it consecutive wins after she was named the most valuable player at the tournament, an award she also won at the 2023 tournament, per Punch.
Source: Twitter
D'Tigress players get rewarded by Governor
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has rewarded D'Tigress player Blessing Ejiofor with ₦30 million and a duplex at tlan Estate in Abakaliki.
According to The Nation, Nwifuru stated that the player has put the state on the world map and is a worthy ambassador.
The Governor emphasised that Ejiofor is a role model to young athletes in the state and will inspire the next generation of superstars. He said:
"I was sad during the last WAFCON because Ebonyi's presence was not there but I was happy and full of joy when I learnt while abroad that Ebonyi was represented in the basketball championship that we won.
"This is one of my agitations that has come to be. I am sure she will become a role model to the younger girls in Ebonyi, that you can combine education and sports together."
Other players deserve rewards - Lawal
Nigeria sports journalist Bolaji Lawal said other governors should follow the footsteps of Ebonyi State Governor by rewarding other players.
In an exclusive comment with Legit.ng, Lawal said the women's basketball team has brought pride and honour to the nation. He said:
"I want to hail Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for remembering Blessing Ejiofor. This is a step other governors should emulate, going forward; football alone should not be appreciated because other sports are also making the country proud."
Tinubu rewards D'Tigress
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rewarded each player of the D’Tigress team with $100,000 and a new apartment for winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Tinubu also rewarded the team with the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) award as a token of appreciation for their success.
Source: Legit.ng
