The minister of sports development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has showered praises on the IBB International Golf and Country Club for their doggedness and commitment in sustaining the tradition of staging Nigeria’s Independence Day Cup annually.
The minister gave commendation shortly before performing the ceremonial tee-off to herald Nigeria’s independence anniversary at the 18-holes green golf course of the club on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Independence Day golf tournament featuring club members and foreigners within the handicap 0-10 flight category is organised annually by Captain Ibrahim Babayo-led executive committee of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in commemoration of Nigeria’s independence anniversary.
“It is good that you continue to sustain this tradition of this Independence Day Golf event. The first time I came, my understanding was that at this event you have people from other countries who are part of this competition to mark Nigeria’s independence anniversary. To sustain a tradition is not an easy thing and that is why I congratulate you, may the spirit of unity continue to fluster.
“Let me use this opportunity to congratulate all of us for this glorious day, the independence celebration of our country. Despite what the challenges are, you have been assured today again by Mr President that we should keep hope alive.
“What the president has preferred to not do is to play politics with the task of governance but to confront the matter as they are. I think he has a choice to play politics with it and to continue to extend the doom day, but he prefers to confront it head on and he is appealing for unity, understanding and patience. I think that just like so many other people, l believe Mr President means we’ll for our country and we should continue to pray for this country, its continuous unity and progress,” Enoh said.
The club captain, Ibrahim Babayo, said aside from using the tournament to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence Day anniversary, it is also designed to market the country positively to the world and commended for honouring the club to be part of the event.
“We are glad to have you around, Minister John Owan-Enoh and we can’t thank you enough about how you have been honouring us even at short notice, we don’t take it for granted.
“You’re already a member of this club, we cherish our relationship with you and want to further consolidate the relationship by having you playing the game of golf at your own time,” Babayo said.
Other participants at the grand finale of the six-day event, enjoined Nigerians to keep believing in Nigeria and work for the unity of the country.
Former minister of women affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, believed there are many reasons why Nigerians should celebrate the country’s independence anniversary despite challenges. “There are many reasons why we should celebrate Nigeria’s independence anniversary. I don’t want to be on the negative side because I always hope that it will be better. I know that God loves this country and the prayers of the faithful will not go in vain. We are praying and God will torch the heart of our leaders to make the country better.
Mr president in his nationwide broadcast this morning, appealed to Nigerians that he is doing everything humanly possible to improve the economy and turn things better. Let’s be positive and key along with him, pray for things to be better for our country. There is power in the tongue, we must always pray for our country and declare positive things, greatness, unity and so shall it be for our country,” Tallen said.
The former captain of the club and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joe-Kyari Gadzama, said the tournament is one of the best ways to celebrate Nigeria’s anniversary. “Having this tournament , I believe is one of the ways to celebrate this great nation and that is why golfers in Abuja have all come together in the last one week to celebrate Nigeria. There is something to celebrate, celebrate life and come together to unite ourselves and de-emphasize all the primordial factors that try to separate us and see what can do to move the nation forward, empower our youth whose future is already here.”
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, on his part, enjoined Nigerians to embrace the game of golf, saying it challenges you to be physically and mentally fit. “Golf challenges you and the people you play together with also challenge you. When you emerge from playing golf, you have physically and mentally exercised yourself and you will benefit a lot from the discussion you had with members of your flight, which in this case is the flight of four players.”
Meanwhile, defending champion of Nigeria’s Independence Day Cup, Mr Philip Poroma,vowed to defend his crown. “This is a very great tournament that is organized yearly by the club and I’m here to defend the title, hoping to play well today. Though there are many arrows pointing at me and being under fire throughout the week by other players, I promised to give them a good game.”
