The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has praised Major General Godwin Umelo (retd) for his contributions and service to the nation.
The Defence Chief made these remarks at the tee-off ceremony of the 60th birthday golf kitty in honour of General Umelo at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai (TYBIGRCC) International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.
While eulogising the retired General, the CDS stated that Umelo deserved all the accolades and celebrations for his commitment and dedication to national service.
He said, “My friend and brother turning 60 today is such a joyful and wonderful occasion. He is someone who brought us up in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and we have always looked up to him. He joined NDA in 1985, while I came in 1986, and we have maintained close ties and friendship since then.
“He is indeed a wonderful person. He means so much to so many people, and that is why I decided to be here in person to celebrate with this great man. A very committed senior officer who gave his best to the Nigerian Armed Forces and to national service, both internally and externally. He has done so much and is still doing more.
“I believe this is the least we can do for him—to celebrate him at 60, thank God for his life, and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
The CDS further stated that celebrating Umelo with the game of golf symbolises unity, a core value of the Armed Forces.
“We want to unite Nigeria and make Nigerians understand that ours is a great country. We need to love Nigeria a little bit more. Loving our country is the only way we can make a difference. All the challenges we are facing are caused by a few individuals who do not mean us well.
“They want to destroy Nigeria and make us destroy ourselves, but we will never give them that opportunity. Together, united, we are stronger, better, and greater,” the CDS added.
TYBIGRCC captain, Major General Samson Jiya, represented by the vice captain, Ali Peters, expressed gratitude to Umelo on behalf of the club’s patrons and members, thanking the celebrant for his significant contributions to the club’s growth and development.
“On behalf of our life patron, grand patron, and patron of the club, we thank the celebrant, who has been very influential in the growth of this club. We thank God we are all here today to celebrate him. We also thank the CDS, who has always honoured our invitations whenever we call on him.
“We also express our gratitude to the life patron, grand patron, and patron of the club, as well as all our members, who have contributed to the growth and development of the club,” he said.
Lady Captain of the club, Maureen Apute, paid tribute to General Umelo, highlighting his exceptional qualities and impact on the club and its members.
“General Umelo is ‘the father of all,’ as I like to call him. He is a great philanthropist and the patron of the TYB ladies section. He is the kind of person who touches the lives of those around him. You can’t be around Oga Umelo and remain the same person you were,” she said.
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