By Victor Okoye
Abuja, May 20, 2025 (NAN) The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa has poured encomiums on Maj. Gen. Godwin Umelo (Rtd) for his contribution and service to the nation.
Musa made the remarks at the tee-off ceremony of the 60th birthday golf kitty in honour of Umelo at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja on Saturday.
The CDS eulogized the celebrant, saying that he was well deserving of all the accolades and celebration for his commitment and dedication to the service of the nation.
“My friend and brother turning 60 today is such a joyful and wonderful occasion. He is someone who brought us up in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and we have always looked up to him.
“He came to NDA in 1985 and I came in 1986, and we have maintained close ties and friendship since then till date.
“He is indeed a wonderful person. He means so many things to alot of people and that’s why I decided to be here in person to celebrate with this great man.
“A very committed senior officer who gave his best to the Nigerian Armed Forces and to the service of the nation, both internally and externally. He has done so much and is still doing more.
“I believe this is the least we can do for him to celebrate him at 60, thank God for his life, and wish well in his future endeavours,” he said.
The CDS noted that, using the game of golf to celebrate him signifies unity, adding that the Armed forces stands for unity.
“We want to unite Nigeria and make Nigerians understand that ours is a great country. We need to love Nigeria a little bit more.
“By loving our country is the only way we can make a difference. All the challenges we are having are because of some few individuals who don’t mean us well.
“They want to make sure that Nigeria is destroyed and that we destroy ourselves, but we will never give them that opportunity.
“Together, united, we are stronger, better and greater,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Samson Jiya, the Captain of the club who was ably represented by Ali Peters, the Vice Captain expressed gratitude to Umelo on behalf of the club’s patrons and member.
He thanked the celebrant for his significant contributions to the club’s growth and development.
“On behalf of our life patron, grand patron and patron of the club, we thank the celebrant who has been very influential to the growth of this club.
“We thank God we are all here today to celebrate him. We also thank the CDS who has always honoured our invitations whenever we call on him.
“We also express our gratitude to the Life Patron, grand patron and patron of the club as well as all our members who have helped to contribute to the growth and development of the club,” he said.
Maureen Apute, the Lady Captain of the club, paid tribute to Gen. Umelo, highlighting his exceptional qualities and impact on the club and its members.
“Gen. Umelo is “the father of all” like I use to call him. He is a great philanthropist and the patron of the TYB ladies section.
“He is the kind of person that touches the lives of the people around him. You can’t be around Oga Umelo and still remain the same person you are.
“It’s indeed a great day to celebrate a great man,” she said.
The LOC Chairman, Suleiman Abdul highlighted Gen. Umelo’s remarkable personality and qualities.
Abdul also praised the celebrant’s humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, adding that it demonstrated his commitment and passion to helping others and giving back to the society.
“Gen. Umelo is a wonderful personality, always cheerful and humorous with a positive attitude and demeanor.
“He is also a humanitarian and a philanthropist and above all, a friend. So, we felt the need to celebrate him in a big way.
“Last year, we celebrated him when he retired from service, and this year that he turned 60, we felt that we should celebrate him even more, and that was what gave rise to the Committee of Friends sourcing for funds to organise a special kitty in his honour.
“I wouldn’t want to divulge the total amount we were able to raise, but I am telling you, it was quite huge, which is a refection of the celebrant’s widespread influence and the love and admiration alot of people have for him,” he said.
Umelo, on his part, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the dignitaries and participants who came out to celebrate him.
“For the first time in my life, I am so emotional. I never knew I could draw such a huge number of crowd, even making the CDS to leave his tight schedule to be here to honour me.
“I know turning 60 is not a joke, but I just want to believe that I am 60 on paper because by the grace of God I think I can still pass for a 50 year old man.
“I give all the glory to God for preserving my life through all the battles and challenges I went through during my active years in service and to the glory of God, we are still here celebrating.
“This is why I think this 60 years is a milestone achievement and worth celebrating and I am so grateful for everyone who is here to celebrate with me today. I pray that you will all be celebrated at your own time,” he said.
NAN also reports that Dennis Dilli emerged as the overall winner of Maj. Gen. Godwin Umelo (Rtd.) 60th birthday kitty
The tournament which was in honour of Umelo’s 60th birthday teed-off on Wednesday and ended on Saturday at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.
Dilli who played off handicap 24, returned a gross score of 88 and 64 net over 18 holes to emerge the overall winner of the tourney.
He expressed delight at his victory, saying that it felt special because it was his first ever win in a tournament, adding that consistency and integrity were key to his victory.
“I have been playing in alot of tournaments here at the club for a long while, but have never won anything.
“Many of my friends even discouraged me not to bother playing in any tournament again, but I refused to give up until I finally achieved my goal.
“So, my message to everyone here today is to keep on playing and playing fairly. It is all about being nice to yourself as well as the people you play with.
“You must also have that sense of integrity and sincerity in all you do,” he said.
He thanked the celebrant as well as the organisers of the tournament, adding that Umelo’s goodwill had endeared so many people; both the high and mighty as well as the less privileged to him, hence the massive turnout at the event.
Also, as part of activities to commorate the 60th birthday of Maj. Gen. G.A Umelo (Rtd) was the commissioning of a comfort/relaxation station called “the Ahamuefula Gazebo” located at the tee-off area of the TYB International Golf course by the CDS, Gen. CG Musa on Saturday.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
