The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has organised a special golf kitty in partnership with the Defence Headquarters to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in Abuja.
The tournament, which was held at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) Golf Club, Abuja with no fewer than 200 golfers in attendance, was part of activities lined up to celebrate the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day which is observed every January 15 to honour serving and ex-servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), Major General EAP Undiandeye, performed the ceremonial tee-off along with other top military personnel and dignitaries at the event.
The CDS said the tournament was organised in partnership with the NGF to celebrate the retired and fallen heroes while adding that the event was significant in remembering the nation’s fallen heroes who had paid the supreme price for defending Nigeria and those still alive who gave their best in service to the nation.
“This golf tournament is part of activities lined up to commemorate the Armed Forces’ Remembrance Day. Beyond that, it is also in collaboration with the NGF, as you can see the President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, present here.
“He has graciously collaborated with the Nigeria Armed Forces to not only popularise the game of golf but in tandem with the health and active nature of the game that restores people to good health. The aim is to ensure that we make it a part of the daily routine of Nigerians as well as popularise the game as a form of exercise for a healthy body and mind, for a healthy society.
“The Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu has been most supportive of our operations over the years and we are going to continue to do our best to ensure we restore peace and security to the good people of Nigeria. Indeed, this Armed Forces will not relent until total peace is won and achieved,” the CDS said.
NGF President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, in his remarks, commended President Bola Tinubu for approving and giving a well-deserved ceremonial to the fallen heroes saying there was the need to celebrate those who laid down their lives for the peace and unity of Nigeria.
While expressing gratitude to the CDS for the partnership with the NGF, Otunba Runsewe said Nigeria had moved to the next level of golf development in line with international standards.
“Let me first and foremost, thank President Bola Tinubu for giving a befitting ceremony to our fallen heroes. It’s a good thing to appreciate those who struggled for the great country called Nigeria. This is a testimony to the fact that the military has a community of celebrating their best; living or dead.
“So, today I am extremely happy that we are celebrating the fallen heroes by bringing all the retired officers from far and near to come and celebrate and share a moment of glory with these great Nigerians that are no more.
“Indeed, this will serve as a very strong example for the upcoming Nigerians to know that we don’t forget people who have contributed to this great country. So, for me, it is a welcome development, and I would specifically like to thank the CDS for always coming together to celebrate their best,” the NGF boss stated.
Captain of the GEJ Golf Club, AVM B.D. Solomon, who also doubles as the vice president of NGF and the chairman, Organising Committee for the AFRD Golf Tournament, AVM Dalhat Ladan, expressed delight at the standard and organisation of the tournament, describing it a huge success as it brought together retired and serving military personnel under one roof.
“The exercise this year has been wonderful, as you can see everybody is playing, happy and I will say it is a successful outing. This is the third time we are organising the event. The first one was hosted at the TYB Golf Club which is the Army Golf Course), while the second one was hosted at the I.E. Ibas Golf Club which is the Nigerian Navy Golf Course. So, this is the third one being hosted at the Nigerian Airforce Golf Course, the GEJ Golf Club,” AVM Ladan told Sporting Tribune.
At the end of hostilities, E. Anaryu, playing off handicap 18, returned a gross score of 86 and 68 net to emerge winner of the men’s serving category as well as the best net winner of the tournament. He was closely followed by Y.G. Goshi, who returned a net score of 69 to settle for the second net prize while B.D. Solomon, playing off handicap 13, returned a gross score of 83 and 70 net to take home the best gross prize.
In the men’s veterans’ category for handicaps 0 to 28, HBZ Vintenaba posted a gross score of 82 and 71 net to emerge as the best gross in the category, while the best net prize went to S.U. Atawodi, who returned 85 gross and 71 net.
In the men’s retired category for handicaps 19 to 28, A.K. Okeniyi returned 84 gross and 61 net to finish as the best net in the category, while D. Dilli with 89 gross and 64 net settled for the second net prize. And Job Ademola won the best gross prize in the category after returning 97 gross and 78 net.
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