Golf for Peace organisers move to promote unity

Organisers of the Golf for Peace tournament have unveiled plans to expand the competition across Nigeria as part of efforts to promote peace, unity and social impact through sports. The initiative, organised by Heartlink Events, is set to move beyond Lagos, with future editions being considered for Abeokuta, Ibadan and Uyo following the successful staging […]

Organisers of the Golf for Peace tournament have unveiled plans to expand the competition across Nigeria as part of efforts to promote peace, unity and social impact through sports.
The initiative, organised by Heartlink Events, is set to move beyond Lagos, with future editions being considered for Abeokuta, Ibadan and Uyo following the successful staging of the latest tournament at Ikoyi Club 1938.
Convener of the initiative, Kemi Olowoyo-Otegbade, said the tournament was conceived not only as a sporting event but also as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and peacebuilding across communities.
“Our purpose is to preach love through golf to every Nigerian and beyond,” she said. “Promoting peace is a form of charity. We are using sport as a unifying force.”
She added that organisers were ready to take the tournament to more golf clubs nationwide with adequate support from stakeholders and state governments.
“We are ready to go to more clubs as long as we get support from state governments and golfers. The mission is to preach peace across the nation,” she said.
The just-concluded edition attracted about 120 golfers from different parts of the country, including participants from IBB International Golf and Country Club, Cross Creek Golf Club, Lagos, Bayelsa, Ibadan and Abeokuta.
In the competition, 11-year-old Toluwalashe Balogun emerged as the overall women’s winner after returning a net score of 66 over 18 holes, while Abiodun Adesina claimed the men’s title with a net score of 70.
Chairman of the planning committee, Abimbola Ajinibi, said the initiative advocates peaceful approaches to addressing insecurity and social unrest.
“Our approach to tackling insecurity and unrest does not involve force. We encourage dialogue, understanding and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
Also speaking, Mobolaji Ogunlende commended the organisers for using sports as a tool to foster unity and social cohesion.
“Events like this remind us that beyond competition, sports remain a powerful tool for fostering connection, understanding and collective progress,” he said.