By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida International Golf Club, has presented the ‘Award of Excellent Leadership’ on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai for his outstanding performance.
Vice Captain of the Club, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, presented an independent day trophy to Lt. Gen. Buratai, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Sen. Anosike, who led a high-powered delegation on the visit, said they were in Abuja to commend Gen. Buratai for his immense contributions to their club and other golfers in Nigeria.
“We are here to show our appreciation for all that you have been doing to our club and all golfers in Nigeria”. He said.
While recounting the long standing existing cordial relationship between his club and the Nigerian Army, Sen. Anosike applauded the Army Chief for the giant strides recorded by the Nigerian army in the fight against insurgency and other criminal elements across the country under his leadership as the Chief of Army Staff.
He therefore prayed to God to protect and preserve Gen. Buratai to continue with the good work.
The Vice Captain of the IBB International Golf Club, who pointed out that ‘Golf is Life’, solicited Buratai’s support for their forthcoming Captain’s Cup.
Anosike, who disclosed that their Club is the one having a world-class golf range in the country, urged Army golfers and officers passionate about becoming professional golfers, to horn and develop their golfing skills.
He further appealed to the COAS to make necessary arrangement for Army golfers who are presently corporate members, to becoming a permanent members of the Club.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, assured the delegation that all the corporate members will obtain permanent membership of the club.
According to COAS, the Nigerian army will upgrade the Eagles Golf Course at Musa Yar’Adu Barracks in Abuja into a world-class golfing arena
“Be rest assured that the development of Eagle Golf Course will be transformed”. COAS assured.
Buratai who further confirmed the long-standing relationship of mutual goodwill the Nigerian Army and IBB Golf Club has enjoyed over the time, thanked the delegation for presenting the independent day trophy to him.
Buratai therefore charged the club to catch them young by adopting the grassroots’ mentorship programmes in schools across the country, so as to identify and groom future Tiger Woods and other talented golfers, who will win laurels for Nigeria at international sporting tournaments.
He further pledge the support of the Nigerian army in supporting all the activities of the club in order to maintain the already existing good relationship amongst them.
Recalled that Buratai during the commissioning of remodelled Rhino Golf Club, 3 Division of the NA, Jos described golf as a form of military training that could help the Nigerian army personnel in tackling the current insecurity challenges in the country.
During the occasion in plateau state, he said that soldiers’ fitness could be fully kept through regular play of golf saying it adds value of patience among soldiers and self-improvement in the discharge of military activities.
