From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Isaiah Okonofua last weekend emerged the overall winner of the 2022 Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor’s Cup annual golf competition in Abuja.
Staged inside the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, the golf tournament witnessed intense competition by no fewer than 160 participants.
Okonofua, playing off handicap 14 with a gross score of 81 and a net of 67, finished the overall winner of the cup competition.
Speaking after receiving the award, Okonofua said: “I thank God who made it possible for me to be a celebrated champion today. I have been hoping for a day like this for four years now when I started playing golf, even though I have not been playing regularly.
“It was a major challenge not playing always because each time I come back from wherever I have travelled to, it’s like starting all over again.
“The game of golf needs you to be consistent, otherwise you will be left behind. This win will motivate and inspire me to do greater things and win more trophies in future,” Okonofua said.
Men’s gross winner, Mohammed Suleiman, playing off handicap 4 with a net of 79 was closely followed by Julius Fadairo who played with a handicap of 7 to finish as first runner-up with a net of 85.
While V.O Adedipe won the men’s division 1 (handicap 0-10) category after playing from the nine handicap with 81 gross and an impressive 72 net, S.O. Sanya finished first runner-up in the category playing off handicap 6 with 81 gross and 75 net.
In the CBN Staff category, R. Uje-Eje, playing off handicap 30 with a gross score of 90 and net 69 emerged winner, K. Uwokike settled for the runner up position having played off handicap 24 with a gross score of 100 and net of 76.
There were also prices for best veteran ladies, veteran men, CBN retired staff, CBN guest, CBN staff among others.
Earlier, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, represented by Edward Adamu, Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, CBN, assured of the apex bank’s commitment towards upholding the organisation of the golf tournament.
“We are committed to this project. We don’t start something we can’t continue and so, we have kept fate with this competition, and I can assure you that we will continue to sponsor it.
“This is just a continuation of CBN’s determination within the framework of our corporate social responsibility to encourage Nigerians to keep fit because we believe that a healthy body must be a body that exercises itself.
“When you have a healthy body, your productivity is enhanced and you contribute to the growth of the economy; recreation is very important for people to be healthy and that is why we are sponsoring this golf competition.
“We are very delighted about the interest and commitment that has been shown by golf players,” Emefiele said.e Captain IBB International Golf and Country Club, expressed his appreciation to CBN for their commitment, adding that the club was delighted to be associated with the prestige tournament.
“As hosts, we are pleased that the tournament is here again. It is one of the high-profile event on our calendar and CBN being a national institution, we are also pleased to be associated with them
“As you are aware, this is an annual invitational stroke play format tournament where members of the club and other invited guests participate in and enjoy themselves in the serene environment of our great club,” he said.
