The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, On Saturday at the TY Buratai Golf Course in Abuja, teed off a special golf tournament to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Nigeria Military School (NMS) establishment.
The event which was put together by the NMS ex-boys association as part of activities marking the 70th anniversary celebration of Military School, brought together a vast array of golfers from far and wide including 50 ex-boys who are also golf players.
The chairman of the local organising committee, AVM K.G. Lar (retired) said 200 golfers are playing in the tournament to commemorate NMS anniversary.
“About 200 golfers are playing including 50 ex-boys of NMS and 150 of our friends who are joining us from the various golf clubs across the country. Last year, it was played in the Nigerian Airforce Base Shasha, Lagos and I emerged champion,” AVM Lar disclosed.
At the end of the event, Navy Captain Sunday Haruna, handicap 8 player, emerged overall winner scoring 77 gross, and netted 68.
Vice Admiral Ogalla, who was the special guest of honour and an ex-boy of the 1982 set, thanked the organisers for putting the golf event together saying sports has always been a part of military culture.
“I want to first express my gratitude to the organizing committee for this golf tournament. It is something that we have jointly organised to mark the 70th anniversary of our Alma Mater, Nigeria Military School (NMS).
“It is a school that all of us are proud of and if you ask me what is your best experience in the service, I’ll refer you to Nigeria Military School. That is where we develop the discipline, the character, the resilience and essence of hard work within us and that is the same character that is pushing us all along.
“This morning, I’m happy to meet those that I met while in the Military School and those I didn’t meet. It is a kind of reunion. Sports is something that we started right from Military School and right now even in the service is still a major aspect of our training in ensuring we keep fit.
"We encourage other organizations to invest in sports particularly the game of golf which has no age barrier.
"You can play golf from 10 years old up till even when you’re 90 years old. It is a game that will sustain you throughout your life and I’m happy to be part of this exercise today,” Vice Admiral Ogalla said.
“Today we are very happy that we are celebrating ourselves and not just ourselves but our Alma Mater. Nigeria Military School is in its 70th year. The school has provided a lot for us, we came in as boys and left as men and the ex-boys have done a lot for national development in terms of security. Our alumni continue to put their lives on the line daily to keep all Nigerians safe," Vice President of the NMS ex-Boys Association, Muhammad Baba Marte said.
The launch of the 70th anniversary emblem followed thereafter. The launch was attended by very senior ex-Boys, including Maj Gen Ibrahim Bata Malgwi Haruna (rtd) who was among the very first intake of 30 boys in 1954.