The Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson Ocheger, has commended the Nigerian Golf and Tour Group that was on a golfing tour of Uganda.
Amb Ocheger made this commendation during the prize presentation ceremony at the end of the Group’s Two Days Golf Tournament that began at the Serena Golf Course and ended at the Ugandan Golf Club in Kampala which was established in 1908.
He stressed that the much desired integration of Africa can best be achieved through physical interactions amongst Africans as demonstrated through the historic visit to Uganda by members of the Golf and Tour Group Nigeria.
He also encouraged Nigerians as well as Ugandans to identify areas of possible investments in both countries and get involved in defining both country’s collective socio-economic prosperity.
Also speaking at the occasion, leader of the Group, Air Vice Marshal Clement Aroriode (Rtd), thanked the Government, the good people of Uganda and particularly the leadership of the Ugandan Golfing Union, Captains of the various Golf Clubs as well as their members for accepting to host the Golf & Tour Group Nigeria.
He applauded the Ugandan golfing community for the warm reception accorded the Group, admitting that himself and the members of the Group really had an exciting and memorable time visiting and playing in three different golf courses in Uganda.
The Group’s experiences in Uganda Golf Club, Kampala established in 1908, Serena Golf & Country Resort and the Entebbe Golf Course which was established in 1901 and the oldest in the East African sub-region which can better be imagined than overtly expressed.
Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of the group, Deputy Leader, Rear Admiral Goddy Ayankpele (Rtd) acknowledged Captain of the Uganda Golf Club, Kampala for availing the Group the facilities of the club to host it’s tournament.
While appreciating the leadership of the Group including the Coordinator, Maj Gen David Ahamdu (Rtd), Rear Admiral Ayankpele (Rtd), also commended, specially the Group’s International Coordinator, Maj Gen Adamu Jidda (Rtd) for his dedication, commitment and tireless efforts put in to ensuring the smooth conduct of the maiden edition of the Group’s international tour.
Some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion included Moses Matsiko-President Uganda Golf Union, Anthony Agaba-Hon Secretary, Uganda Golf Union, Anne Abeja-Immediate Past President Uganda Ladies Golf Union, Emmanuel Wamala-Captain Uganda Golf Club Kampala and Jovia N. Tugume-Lady Captain Entebbe Golf Club.
Prizes were presented at the occasion to members of the Golf and Tour Group Nigeria. Amongst the winners were; Dr Ademola Makinde who emerged the overall Champion, Maj Gen OW Ali (Rtd) Runner up Net, Hassaan Mundu, First Runner Up Net, Maj Gen Habila Vintenaba (Rtd) second Runner Up Net and Brig Gen Mustapha Onoyiveta (Rtd), won the Tournament’s Best Gross Trophy. Maj Gen Chukwuemeka Abraham (Rtd) won the Closest to the Pin and Brig Gen David Lubo (Rtd) won the Longest Drive.
In a related development, the Group also participated in the Stanbic Entebbe Open sponsored by Stanbic Bank, Uganda. The Tournament which was played over a period of 4 days saw the Golf & Tour Group members participating in the amateur category. One of the Group’s members Maj Gen Godwin Umelo (Rtd) was the winner of the Category C event.
The Golf and Tour Group Nigeria which is a non-governmental organization, non-partisan and non-profit making golfing entity was established in 2021.
Apart from advancing its’ main objective of foster golfing unity and the game of golf in Nigeria, the Group also embarks on humanitarian activities by reaching out to orphanages in the host communities during their tours.
Members of the Golf and Tour Group Nigeria were in Uganda from 29th October to 5th November 2023 and have since returned to Nigeria with sweet memories of Uganda.
