By Victor Okoye
Some members of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) and golf enthusiasts have showered encomium on their president, Juliet Monyei-Inyere, as she prepares to bow out from the association’s top position.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Monyei-Inyere will be handing over to her successor at the the end of the 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open in Abuja.
The 2023 Nigeria Ladies Open, which is being organised by LGAN, began on Thursday and is expected to end on Sunday at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.
A cross section of LGAN members and golf enthusiasts who spoke with NAN on the sidelines of the tournament on Friday said Monyei-Inyere was an outstanding president who left an indelible mark on the association.
AVM David Solomon, the vice-president, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), who represented the president, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, at the event said the out-going president had left a good legacy for her predecessor.
“LGAN has been a very strong association and the ladies have been up and doing.
“The out-going president to my mind has done very well. She is a mobiliser and has tried to mobilise the women.
“We have met in several of their opens and she did very well,” he said.
Runsewe urged the LGAN members to rally round and support the incoming president so as to ensure the legacy in which Monyei-Inyere has built is sustained.
“LGAN must strive and the ladies must be seen to be very participatory in the game of golf and I am confident that they are up to the challenge.
“Somehow, whenever the ladies organise events, it is always a good one.
“You can see it from the ambiance, colour, feeding and hospitality arrangement which is top notch,” he said.
Lami Ahmed, Dr Lami Ahmed, former Lady Captain of IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja, and LGAN Zonal Vice-presidential candidate for the North said Monyei-Inyere was a good leader.
“Our president is a fantastic person. Her slogan is ‘We move’ because that’s who she is.
“She is very active and very resourceful. She is a team player as well as a relationship builder,” she said.
She noted that one major thing which stood out during the out-going president’s tenure was her ability to bring everybody together.
She said Monyei-Inyere brought unity amongst ladies and reduced internal crisis and clashes in LGAN.
“So, she will be remembered as a good leader and a very happy player because wherever she is she radiates.
“She was also able to project the association beyond the borders of Nigeria.
“Like today, we have players from not just from every part of the country, but also from other parts of Africa playing with us,” she said.
Nnenna Ahube, Lady Captain of Bonny Island Golf Club (BIGC), said the out-going president had done so much for LGAN and was crowning her success with a well-organised and befitting tournament.
“She is ‘We move’ lady. She is a conqueror and an amazing person.
“She has indeed brought LGAN this far and we can’t look back and not remember all that she has done for the association.
“She is, indeed, a mover and shaker,” she said.
Ali Peters, the Vice Captain, TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, said the out-going president had moved LGAN forward and championed the active participation of women in golf.
“On behalf of the captain and the grand patron, we welcome the ladies here today and congratulate Monyei-Inyere on the end of a very successful tournament.
“The out-going president has, indeed, done very well to move LGAN forward. She has encouraged more ladies to come and united them.
“She is also promoting more active participation of women in the game of golf,” he said.
Peters noted that the LGAN tournament was the first event to be hosted by the club following its re-opening by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja.
“Our well-expanded greens and new club house are a beauty to behold.
“We are happy that we are attracting big events to this golf course and we look forward to more events here.
“That is why the army is also investing to make sure that people can come and recreate, play golf and also enjoy our club house,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Salif Atojoko
