By Odo Ogenyi
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana has been honoured with a golf tournament by his friends to celebrate his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari at the 18 hole Ibom Golf & Country Club, Nwaniba, Uruan Local Council of Akwa Ibom.
The two days event had more than 160 golfers who competed for several prizes across several categories and included some former State Governors, serving and past National and State Assembly members, Commissioners and other government functionaries, traditional rulers and captains of industries.
The ceremonial tee-off was performed by the first Military Governor of Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff while the tournament got underway by a shotgun format which saw all flights of players teeing off simultaneously from all the 18 Holes of the Ibom Golf Course.
Result released by the Resident Golf Professional of Ibom Golf & Country Club, Mr. Emmanuel Ochayi, at the end of the competition showed Bako Emmanuel playing off handicap 3, posted the Overall Best Net Score of the tournament while the Captain of Ibom Golf & Country Club, Barr Usenobong Akpabio posted the Best Net Score in the Men Category 1 with Agib Hughes the 1st runner up and Udeme Esset as the 2nd runner up.
In Men Category 2; Otu Ekanem posted the Best Net Score while the immediate past Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Senator Emmanuel Anosike came as 1st runner up with Barr. Edidiong Idiong emerging the 2nd runner up.
The result also showed that Paul Erokoro, SAN, posted the Best Net Score in Men Category 3 while James Edet and Isuamfon Archibong emerged 1st and 2nd runner up respectively while in Men Category 4; Offiong Abia posted the Best Net Score with Mobayonle Ogunwumiju and Ubong Ubiam emerging the 1st and 2nd runner up respectively.
In Seniors Category; Barr. Uwem Ekanem posted the Best Net Score with Abel Abia-Bassey and Major Gen. E. R. Chioba (Rtd.) following as 1st and 2nd runner up.
In Ladies Category 1; Mrs. Patience Akpan posted the Best Net Score while Givens Agbovu emerged 1st runner up and Aniekan Akpan was the 2nd runner up while the Ladies Category 2 saw Cynthia Oare posting the Best Net Score with Maryanne Kissandra and Mandu Williams emerging 1st and 2nd runner up.
Meanwhile, Dr. Iniobong Essien won the Nearest to the Pin in the Veteran Category; Gladness Archibong won the Nearest to the Pin in the Ladies Category; while Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong won Nearest to the Pin in the Men Category while the Longest Drive Men Category was won by Mr. Bako Emmanuel, the Ladies Category by Aniekan Akpan, and the Longest drive in the veteran category was won by Engr. Akan Udi.
Delivering his thank you message, Umana appreciated the Club for hosting the event while thanking his friends for organising the tournament, expressing his delight to all golfers who participated at the event.
The Minister thanked God for his appointment and lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy for the ministerial appointment, promising to put in his best in the service of the nation.
Dignitaries at the event also included former Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada (Rtd.); the former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Obong Nsima Ekere; Senator Sanusi Daggash; former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Executive Director of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency,Mr Victor Ochei.
