Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has appointed Monica Dongban-Mensem, a judge and president of court of appeal, as chairman board of trustees (BoT) for IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
Dongban-Mensem replaces I.B.M. Haruna as chair of the board.
Wike inaugurated the board on Friday at his official residence in Life Camp area of Abuja.
Other new board members include Olusegun Runsewe, Grace Ihonvbere, S.l. Ameh, Hamid Abbo, Victor Adedipe, Patrick Chidolue and Ikokwu.
The minister tasked the board with reviving the once prestigious club.
He said, “Let me on behalf of the FCT administration thank members of the board of trustees that was inaugurated this afternoon for responding to the call.”
“There has been crisis at the IBB Golf Club and as the owner of that golf course, we cannot fold our hands and see things deteriorate.”
“So, for us to have a board of trustees that could be led by the president of the court of appeal, you know that we are not joking at all. We will do everything we can to give the club the necessary support.”
The minister noted that the golf course belongs to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
He said, “You must know that we are still the owners of the golf course. It is not privatised. Some of you have held the view that because government gave you C of 0, it means that the property belongs to you. No. government has set up agencies and universities.”
“Government give them C of O just to protect the property. But that does not mean that because we gave you C of 0 as University of Abuja, the government does not own the University of Abuja. This is not correct.”
“Even us in FCT, we own Abuja Investment
Company, we give them land, we give them C of O, but that does not mean that the agency does not belong to us. It still belongs to us.”
In her remarks, Dongban-Mensem assured the minister that the board would deliver on its assignment.
She said, “We know that we’ve been given a tall order to watch over the club and it is not a mean assignment. The importance attached to the club by the government is proper and we shall not disappoint or take for granted the confidence reposed in us.”
“We shall try our best to ensure that all frayed nerves are calmed.”
“I appeal to my colleagues on the board to cooperate so that we can work as a body to uphold the confidence that has been reposed in us.”
“I also appeal to our outgoing chairman and other members of the board to stay with us and guide us. Let’s work together as a team.”
