REMARKS BY THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO GSS AM psc ensp (RSA) MTM MNIM MUSNI FCIS FIIPS FCAI AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE NIGERIAN NAVY GOLF COURSE NAVY ESTATE I KARSHI ABUJA ON 12 JUNE 2021
PROTOCOL
1. On behalf of officers, ratings and civilian staff of the NN, it gives me great pleasure to once again warmly thank all our distinguished guests for honouring our invitation to the commissioning ceremony of the Nigerian Navy Golf Course here in Navy Estate Karshi. I am particularly honoured and appreciative to have in attendance at this auspicious occasion our esteemed Special Guest of Honour His Excellency Engineer AA Sule the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State who is ably represented by the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Dr Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, despite his very busy schedule.
2. In the same vein, I heartily appreciate our other eminent guests, particularly former Chiefs of Defence Staff and Chiefs of Naval Staff who have taken time out to be part of this ceremony. May I also specially recognize our landlord; His Royal Highness Alhaji Doctor Sani Muhammadu Bako III, the Emir of Karshi, Nasarawa State. You are most welcome Sir. Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to equally acknowledge with same gratitude the presence of various captains of industry, the representatives of Service Chiefs, retired senior officers, senior citizens, distinguished golfers, game officials and our other well-wishers. Your attendance at this event is most reassuring and once more serves as a pleasant re-affirmation of your untiring interest in the progress of the NN. The Navy is profoundly indebted for your continued goodwill.
3. Distinguished guests, the provision of recreational facilities is one of the pivotal agenda of the NN towards enhancing the wellbeing of personnel. Permit me to state that the NN already has two 18-hole golf courses; the Sealords Golf Course in Port Harcourt and Dolphin Golf Course in Lagos. Happily, today we are gathered to witness the commissioning of yet another 18-hole Golf Course here in Karshi. The Golf Course is borne out of the need to have different games for all categories of personnel, civilian staff and friends alike. The game of golf has become an important event on the NN sports calendar and a platform for friendship as well as cultural exchanges across the Country. Importantly, the Golf Course is expected to further improve Civil-Military Relations particularly within and around the host community. I therefore enjoin us to take this Golf Course facility as a critical enabler for further development of the game in Nigeria.
4. Ladies and gentlemen, let me use this medium to eulogise the erstwhile Chief of the Naval Staff V Adm IE Ibas (Rtd) for his enormous contributions to infrastructural development in the NN particularly his love and passion for sports that led to the construction of this Golf Course. In keeping the history of the NN and to appreciate your efforts, it is my honour and pleasure to inform this esteemed gathering that this golf course is named in his honour for posterity. At this point, may I urge the management committee of this great club to mobilise sponsorship to maintain and keep the club running.
5. As it is customary with the commissioning of golf courses, today we shall witness great golfers across boundaries come here to ‘Wash the Course’. I believe the golfers would compete fairly and exhibit the unifying power of sport through the tremendous spirit of friendship. Thus, I heartily offer my best wishes to all participating in the kitty and urge them to demonstrate good spirit of sportsmanship. I hasten to say that, notwithstanding the achievement today, we will not rest on our oars as the NN shall continue to provide sporting facilities in all our units and barracks.
6. Before I conclude, let me once again appreciate the Special Guest of honour, the goodwill of the Service Chiefs, our Landlord, Captains of Industry, invited guests and distinguished golfers, not forgetting the valued members of the press. Undoubtedly, your presence has not only added colour to this event, but is in itself quite symbolic. We say thank you for the honour done to us by your presence. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, at this juncture, I have the honour to invite the Special Guest of Honour for his remarks. Thank you, God bless and Onward Together.