Veteran golfer Kwadiri Kwaga Yusuf has been crowned champion of the 2025 Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club (TYB-IGRCC) Independence Golf Tournament in Abuja.
The week-long tournament, held to celebrate Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, also honoured retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Army.
Yusuf, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), beat more than 400 golfers to clinch the overall net winner’s title. Playing off a handicap of 16, he returned a gross score of 80 and a net of 67 to seal the victory.
Speaking after his triumph, the visibly delighted Yusuf credited his win to perseverance and determination.
> “I’m very happy about this win. I spent five hours on the course and wasn’t even supposed to play in the regular session—I registered as a veteran. But when I saw the draw, my name appeared in the regular category. The organisers offered to move me back, but I decided to stay and play. I gave my best, and I’m grateful to my playing partners for their encouragement,” he said.
The men’s competition was fiercely contested. In the handicap 21–28 group, DD Dilli emerged as net winner, with SS Jiya taking the gross title after battling hard against Chukwuma Nwude and Gabriel Egwurube.
In the handicap 13–20 group, Nicholas Ashinze, D. Ladan, and Usman Danladi put up strong performances, while in the lower handicap categories (6–12 and 0–5), Rueben Egughe and Gabriel Godwin won their events, with Babajide Ashebu and Timothy Mike excelling in gross play.
The guest category added extra excitement, with Paul Odoh Junior winning the net title and Effiong Okon taking the best gross award.
Among the ladies, Justina Gideon shone as gross winner, while Jennifer Shaapera claimed the net title. In the (0–18) handicap group, Faridah Wada emerged champion, with Longdi Paul taking the gross title. In the (19–36) division, Tessy Johnson and Sarah Nkwariża impressed with standout performances.
The veterans’ event was equally memorable: Mike Ekoja won the Veteran Net category, while Ahmed Oseni and M. Richard Obioha also performed strongly. In the Super Veteran division, Dibu Ojerinde and Sunday Ehindero displayed remarkable resilience and consistency to claim top honours.
