By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Jan. 23, 2024 (NAN) Retired Maj.-Gen. Bolaji Salami has emerged the overall best net winner of the 2024 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Golf Tournament in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the golf tournament played at the I.E. IBAS Golf Club, Karshi was organised by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF).
Salami playing off handicap 23 with a gross score of 77, and 54 net won the overall best net prize in the retirees category for handicap 19 to 28.
Anebi E.O. playing off handicap 16 with 86 gross and 67 net emerged best gross in the category.
Ayanbode A.O. playing off handicap 17 with a gross score of 81 and 64 net finished tops in the Serving men category, while Ayomanor D.A. with 64 gross, emerged as best gross in the category.
Deborah John won the over best net prize in the Guest Ladies’ category after she played off handicap 36 with a gross score of 99 and 63 net to beat Tessy Johnson on countback.
Rose Nyam playing off handicap 20 with a gross score of 85 and 65 net emerged as best gross in the Guest Ladies’ category.
Rebecca Danladi, playing off handicap 25 with a gross score of 87 and 62 net, took home the top prize in the Serving Ladies category.
Hauwa A. playing off handicap 16 with a gross score of 83 and 67 net emerged as best gross in the category.
Salami told NAN on the sidelines of the award on Saturday that he was elated and proud to have won the best net prize.
“I feel highly elated because the game of golf is life itself.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Service Chiefs for putting this together to honour our departed troops.
“I also use this opportunity to encourage the populace to continue to lend their support to the troops, so that they will be able to achieve their goal of securing the lives of citizens in the country,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Christopher Musa, represented by AVM Nkem Aguiyi noted that the Armed forces Celebration and Remembrance Day was a special event to celebrate the country’s fallen heroes as well as living vetrans and serving personnel.
“The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is an annual event to celebrate the nation’s fallen heroes who lost their lives in active service as well as honour Veterans of World War and the civil war.
“It is also to celebrate the living vetrans and serving personnel who work tirelessly to safeguard the sovereignty of the nation while ensuring peace and security for social and economic activities to thrive.
“Globally, the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is celebrated on Nov. 11, known as the “Armistice Day.”
“However, with the surrendering of Biafra on Jan. 15, 1970, which marked the end of the Nigerian Civil War, the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is now celebrated in Nigeria on Jan. 15 annually,” he said.
He said that the celebration was marked by several activities, including parades, wreath laying ceremony, corporate and social responsibility, and civil-military related activities, including sporting events.
He explained that sporting activities had a special place in the history of the celebration
“It helps in developing both physical and mental alertness, including the well-being of personnel.
“It is for this reason that a golf tournament is included as part of activities to mark the year 2024 Armed forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
“Golfing as a game also promotes social interactions, thereby building teamwork and esprit de corps.
“Little wonder that the game of golf has captured the interest of both serving and retired military personnel with so many vetrans being active golfers.
“With this in mind, we are hosting the year 2024 Armed forces Celebration and Remembrance Day at the Vice Admiral I.E. Ibas Golf course.
“Vice Admiral I.E. Ibas Golf course was particularly chosen for this event to depict the dynamic nature of the Armed Forces.
“The TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club was used for this event last year,” he said.
Real Admiral Julius Nwagwu, the Captain of I.E. Ibas Golf Club said it was a privilege to host the special event at the club.
“It is also a good way for me to start my tenure as the new captain of the Club, having taken over the captainship from my predecessor a week ago.
“It is also an opportunity for the golfing community, the Armed Forces, and beyond to know that the I.E. Ibas Golf Club is alive and ready to contain every golfer.
“We are working ausidaciously to ensure that this course in the next six months can compete with any Golf course in the FCT and beyond,” he said.
Dr. Chioma Acholonu, the Lady Captain of I.E. Ibas Golf Club stressed that the event was a memorable one to remember the nation’s fallen heroes.
“To God be the glory, they are being remembered because they stood for this country.
“I, as a member of the club and particularly the wife of an Admiral, I know what it takes to hold the home front while they are there defending our great nation, Nigeria.
“So, today when it is heard that the fallen heroes are being remembered, family members and the entire world always come to stand and remember them.
“These are great heroes who signed that their lives of earth will be to defend their fatherland, and they did that to the glory of God.
“Today they are no more, but we remember them, and greatly they will continue to be remembered because of their selfless service.
“Today, we are grateful that Ibas is holding forth and hosting the tournament,” she said.
NAN also reports that part of the activities to mark the event was a raffle draw, which saw several persons smile at home with consolation prices, including bags of rice and groundnut oil, to mention a few.
The grand price was a life cow, which was won by the chairman organizing committee, AVM Dalhat Ladan.
Other special guests at the event were the representative of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Nanjul Kumzhi, and the President, Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
