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2019 Nigeria Ladies Golf Open Championship teed-off In Abuja

Published

6 years ago

November 13, 2019

Joel Ajayi

The much awaited 2019 Nigeria Ladies Golf Open Championship teed off Wednesday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja with Ugandan Irene Nakalembe dictating the pace on the result chat.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity for the Open, Kayode Adeniyi that the 3-day event was officially teed off Wednesday morning by the Captain, IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, Sola Awoyungbo and Outgoing President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, LGAN, Ekanem Ekwueme

Speaking at the tee off the IBB Ladies Captain Awoyungbo said she is delighted that Ladies Golf Association picked the club as the venue for the tournament.

“The Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria are celebrating their annual event and we are excited they choose the IBB International Golf and Country club as the venue for the event. We have golfers from some African countries and Nigeria is represented by all the zones of the federation.

“We believe it will be a highly competitive event and they are all eager to play. They will not have the course to blame because the course is in good condition”.

“The competition will take ladies golfing to another level. Let me say am impressed with this large turnout,” he said.

Also, the outgoing President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, Ekanem Ekwueme said she is happy that she is ending her tenure on a good and winning note with the hosting of the competition.

“It is amazing and a good feeling for this to happen. A lot of ladies are playing and we have a good weather.

“The fact that I’m handing over to a new executive in a few days’ time is exhilarating. I’m happy with how events are panning out”. Ekanem said.

The youngest golfer in the tournament, Iyene Essien said she feels elated playing with her ‘mothers and grandmothers’.

“I have been playing golf since I was 5 and I’m 13 right now. Golf has been good and I have been winning tournaments and making my country proud.

“I feel excited to play among my mothers and grandmothers and I pray they take it easy on me”. she said.

The Chairperson, Organising Committee, Julie Okah-Donli promised that the remaining days with be lively for both the Nigerians and the foreign golfers. The Championship ends on Friday.

However, the day 1 result in the Handicap 2 Irene grossed 76 and netted 72 she was closely followed by Nigerian and Police Officer Amina Wilfred with two strokes behind. Handicap 8 Amina played a gross of 78 and a nett of 70. Another Nigerian, Racheal Danjuma occupied the third place with a nett of 74 and gross of 82 while the Defending Champion, Evah Magala of Uganda who grossed 82 and nett of 78 is in fourth position on the table.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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