Encomium
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, April 24, 2023 (NAN) Members and friends of Mike Ekoja, the outgoing Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja have showered encomium on him as his tenure gradually winds down.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ekoja’s reign as the prestigious club’s captain will end in May after one year of meritorious service at the helms of affairs at the club.
A cross section of members who spoke with NAN on the sidelines of the 2023 Captain’s Cup in his honour on Saturday in Abuja, said Ekoja was an outstanding captain who left an indelible mark in the club.
Boboye Oyeyemi, the Chairman, Organising Committee of the 2023 Captain’s Cup said, it was a great privilege to have played a part in the organisation and planning of the tournament in honour of the outgoing Captain.
Oyeyemi added that Ekoja is a team player, as well as an amiable and humble captain.
“Indeed, what you have witnessed throughout this week is as a result of the painstaking and dedicated efforts of the members of the committee to celebrate our very humble and amiable captain.
“This year’s Captain’s Cup has turned out to be a remarkable success as shown by the number of participants. We all ensured that it ran its course with a great sense of collective achievement.
“It proves once again that golf has remained one of the powerful games that unites people from diverse backgrounds and ages asides from its tremendous health benefits,” he said.
Oyeyemi who is the immediate past Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), thanked all the sponsors, participants, members and the media for their support in ensuring that the event was a huge success.
“On behalf of the organizing committee, I will like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in the 2023 edition of the Captain’s Cup.
“It has indeed not only been a run away success but has also cemented the reputation of our great club.
“We thank all those who made the tournament possible through their generous donations to honour our Captain, Mike Ekoja.
“We thank members of our club, invited guests, staff, the media, other well-wishers and the international participants,” he said.
Lami Ahmed, a past lady Captain of the club (2016) said Ekoja is a dedicated and hardworking captain and a very good team player.
She added that the huge number of participants during the tournament was a good testament to Ekoja’s immense contribution to the growth and success of the club.
“Every year, the Captain’s Cup is the climax of all activities in this club and therefore the members come together to celebrate the captain who has devoted and dedicated a full year running the affairs of the club.
“It is noteworthy to mention that Ekoja is a special person. He is a man who gave his all and committed 356 days on a daily basis carrying out one activity or the other.
“He also supported the Ladies’ section and brought glamour to the club by embarking on alot of projects like the renovation of the club house, maintenance of the course, to mention a few, alongside his dedicated team members.
“He is a very good team manager as he was able to put members of his team together and they all worked to give us the best value we have ever witnessed in a long time.
“So, it is worthy that he is been celebrated by distinguished and respected individuals from various works of life.
“This was indeed the highest gathering we have ever witnessed in the history of the club,” she said.
Julie Acholonu, also a past lady Captain (2018) said Ekoja is a deligent and resourceful person who did very well in his capacity as the Captain of the club.
Acholonu noted that he also worked with a formidable team which made it possible for him to achieve so much within a short period of time at helm of affairs in the club.
She also expressed joy at being one the podium finishers at the end of the tournament, noting that she was hoping to improve on her performance in the next edition.
“I am so elated as I finished as a runner up in the vetran ladies (handicap 19 to 54) category this year.
“Everybody wants to be appreciated for little efforts. You come here and spend about five hours playing under the sun and so you just hope to do something special.
“Sometimes, you are not going for the award, but when one is called up for recognition it kind of pleases the mind and makes you feel that you have done well in the time you have committed.
“It also encourages you to put more of your best. So, I am go back to practice and challenge myself to do better and win bigger things,” she said.
Lizzy Ulumaranma, a member of the Exco and Secretary of the 2023 Captain’s Cup also showered encomium on the out-going Captain, adding that he is ‘a man of the people’.
She noted that the organising committee was challenged to make this year’s tournament one of the best events ever witnessed in the club’s history because of the calibre and attributes of the person who was being honoured.
She added that it was only natural that when somebody has done well people would want to celebrate him.
Ekoja in his response, appreciated members, staff and friends for the honour, adding that it was a testament to the fact that he performed well during his time at the club.
“The successful outing we all witnessed could only have been made possible through the painstaking planning of the Organising Committee headed by our own Boboye Oyeyemi and his hard working team.
“We enjoyed tremendous goodwill from our members which goes to show that if the goodwill of members are properly harnessed, there is so much we can achieve together for the overall interest of the club.
“We remain ever grateful to our members who supported the event in cash, material and in kind.
“Special thanks also goes to all our sponsors, donors, helpers to numerous to mention as well as the press and staff of our great club for your selfless contributions which made this day possible.
“Finally, I will like to appreciate my dear wife, Olufunke David-Ekoja, without who’s support I couldn’t have achieved much in the service of the club,” he said.
NAN also reports that the highlight of the tournament was the presentation of a 5kVA Phocos Inverter, 5.3kWh WeCo Lithium Battery and 8460W Yingli Solar Panels worth a whopping N 5. 59 million.
The solar system is expected to be installed for free by one of the event’s major sponsors, CDD Infrastructure.
There were also other mouth-watering prizes as well as consolation prizes for winners and runners up of the various categories.
A special gift from the IBB International Golf and Country, Abuja was also presented to a delegation from Cameroon who were also part of the tournament.
The week-long 2023 Captain’s Cup which was its 24th edition began on Tuesday and ended on Saturday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
