Runsewe hails GEJ club for showcasing Nigeria’s culture through golf

President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has applauded the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) Golf Club for making history as the first in Nigeria to seamlessly merge cultural heritage with golf in celebration of the nation’s 65th Independence anniversary. Runsewe described the event, themed “Swinging in the Depths of Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage,” […]

President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has applauded the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) Golf Club for making history as the first in Nigeria to seamlessly merge cultural heritage with golf in celebration of the nation’s 65th Independence anniversary.

Runsewe described the event, themed “Swinging in the Depths of Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage,” as a groundbreaking initiative that redefines how golf is perceived and celebrated across the country.

“GEJ Golf Club has made history today as the first club in Nigeria to successfully bring culture into the golfing community. This is not just about memory; it is a message. It reminds us to love our country and use golf as a platform to tap into the benefits of our rich traditions,” he said.

He praised the innovation as “a brand identity for golfing in Nigeria,” stressing that it goes beyond sport to promote unity, peace, and patriotism.

“By aligning this celebration with October 1st, GEJ Club is not just marking Independence Day; it is promoting peace, discipline, and a renewed sense of cultural pride,” he added.

Runsewe emphasized that in a nation of over 250 million people, creative expressions such as this highlight the unifying power of sport. He noted that the GEJ Golf Club has not only elevated the standard of sporting innovation but also etched its name in Nigeria’s cultural and sporting history.

Vice President of the NGF and Captain of GEJ Golf Club, AVM Bgmibgmitawuza Solomon, said the idea stemmed from a desire to use sport as a vehicle for national identity and local content promotion.

 “With Nigeria marking 65 years of independence, we felt golf could be a unique way to celebrate,” he explained.

According to Solomon, more than 80 percent of the players wore locally produced fabrics, while the post-game luncheon featured Nigerian dishes such as amala and tuwo, reflecting the government’s local content policy.

 “This is our way of aligning with the Nigeria-first agenda. I must commend the Chief of the Air Staff, whose support made it possible to host the event here at the Air Force Golf Club.

 The initiative has created a model that can be replicated nationwide to not only promote golf but also preserve and celebrate Nigeria’s cultural heritage,” he said.