Gov. Uzodimma, Eze Ralph Ekezie, Leo Stan Ekeh, Ozigbu & Others To Grace Grand Opening Of The ClubHouse –  Arsenal Golf & Country Club

While golf courses are designed and built in a variety of types and sizes; Arsenal Golf and Country Club, Obinze – Owerri West, Imo State, is no doubt, among the outstanding Golf Courses in  Nigeria with a blend of timeless architectural design, state-of-the-art facilities, tight security, providing the golf course with tee locations, green seizes, depth of bunkers, turf types, and serene environment which enhance the aesthetic beauty of the golf landscape.

Speaking with the Media Team of 4th  Estate Reporters as they were taken round the Golf Course on a facility tour,  Saturday morning, 2nd November, 2024, Captain of the Club, Commodore Ogechi Osuagwu (Rtd), disclosed that plans have been put in place preparatory to the official grand unveiling of the Golf Course Clubhouse which he said is  befitting.

Osuagwu noted that members contributed immensely to the construction of the Golf Club House, including the State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, even as he deeply appreciated the immediate past Captain of the Golf Club and the building committee for laying the foundation of the Club House and completing it.

“The befitting ClubHouse was made possible by individual contributions with the Board Of Trustees Members donating handsomely to the completion of the building. The immediate past Captain of the club, Chief Cliff Orjiako, did well by initiating this project and completing it before leaving seat as Captain” he said.

While adding that the ClubHouse is a laudable project completed within a short space of time given the formidability of members and support by the Governor, the immediate past Captain of the Club and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Chief Clifford Orjiako (Akusinachi), he affirmed that members are warming up for the epoch-making grand opening of the Club House, which is going to be one of a kind.

A rather soft-speaking but highly cerebral former Club Captain, Clifford Orjiako,  further stated;  “We now have a befitting ClubHouse to relax after playing. We are warming up for the event that comes up on Saturday, 23rd November, 2024”.

“The Governor,  His Excellency, Distinquished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, is a golfer. He plays golf 14 and he made a huge donation for the Club House. He would receive Platinum Award on that day in recognition of his immeasurable contributions toward the transformation and development of the Golf Course.”

“He showed strength and courage, and we would be more proud to have him at the event. He is the Chief Host of the Club House unveiling” Orjiako posited.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and a prominent member of the Arsenal Golf and Country Club; foremost oil magnet, golf enthusiast, uncommon philantropist and revered  traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Dr. Ralph Ekezie (Ugochinyere Obor1), went down memory lane to narrate how the journey started, the challenges, trajectory, and the concerted efforts made to ensure that they have a standard golf course today. Thanking God for the strategic role he played,  including financial contributions and commitments demonstrated to ensure that the golf course is standing, he also appreciated members of the Board of Trustees as well as fellow golfers.

Expressing joy over the timely completion of the ClubHouse and the forthcoming commissioning, Chike Okoroafor, Chinonso Ogbonna and Damian Victor (from Henry Seriake Dickson Golf Club, Bayelsa State), said golf is for the elite.

Reflecting that golf is a game that engages the body and the mind, BOT Member of the Club and Chairman, Construction Committee, Engr. Charles Ngoka, said people socialize through golf, which he added is a sports without a referee.

“Golf, as a game, is free for everybody. It has been about 20 years we played golf here and it is one of the best golf courses in the South East. Golf keeps us fit. We socialize, being a game of life that brings out who you are – it is close to nature – in golf you play against yourself”, Ngoka reflected.

Ogbuagu (Engr.) Ernest Nwapa, a golfer and golf course owner, hinted that golf is life for those who understand it.

Ogbuagu emphasized that, “golf is a game that keeps one engaged: your mind, body and attitude, an all-encompassing activity that builds relationship, it is self-regulating that requires a lot of money to maintain”, hailing the members of the club for building the Club House.

A legal luminary of note and veteran golfer, D.C. Denwigwe ( SAN); first Captain of Arsenal Golf and Country Club, saluted the resilence of the members, their sense of dedication and unity of purpose in starting and finishing up the magnificent clubhouse, assuring that the grand opening will be colourful judging by creme of the soceity expected at the event.

While interviewing the owner of Hole 9, Stroke 8 index; at the Golf Course: High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga), he felt so proud to be a member of the Arsenal Golf and Country Club, Owerri, Imo State, where he comes from, as he has been playing at the Port Harcourt Golf Course as a member.

According to the oil magnet, road construction giant, London trained economist, and philantropist, Ozigbu:  “Golf is a lifetime pursuit which keeps one focused, while keeping eyes on the ball- hitting your target”.

“It occasionally looks easy but difficult to play. Sometimes, an easy swing will provide a shot that even the top pros of all time would be satisfied with, Ozigbu maintained.

The hole 9, stroke index 8, is the post for Imo-born oil magnet and business maverick, High Chief Johnbosco Ozigbu, Ph.D (Ogwuaga of Ogwuaga); and he is also one of the major sponsors of the forthcoming grand unveiling of the clubhouse, according to Chief Clifford during an interview.

Meanwhile, a number of the club’s members who spoke; including Chief Clifford Ikechukwu Orjiakor, made glowing remarks about the unwavering commitment of the Vice-Chairman,   Board of Trustees,  Gen. S.A. Owuama (Rtd), who worked from the scratch to ensure the release of the land for a befitting sporting facility and the design of the timeless Golf Course everybody is celebrating.

Expected also at the event is Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, Chairman of Zinox Technologies Ltd, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh; Imo-born business mogul, Chief Ugo Nkwocha (Auspoint), Igwe Dr. Patrick Acholonu, Patron of the Club and Adviser of event, Chief Michael Onuoha (Eririego of Igboland, Ide Nwangele); Chairman, Ailes Group, among others, as they are billed to receive different categories of awards from a prominent Golf Club in Nigeria; Arsenal Golf and Country Club.

Many thanks to Arch. Obioma Canice Ahamefula, who designed and supervised the masterpiece of a ClubHouse building free-of-charge, while it was built by Arc. Kelechi Ezike.

Worthy of note are men of high caliber who served at the level of building committee membership. They included; Engr. Charles Ngoka (Chairman), Chief Cliff Orjiako, Dr. Eto Osuji, Arch. Obioma .C. Amaefula , Pst. Sam Achonwa, Ogbuagu Ernest Nwapa, Rtd. Comodr. Ogechi Osuagwu, Chief Chike Okoroafor, and Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, a former member of the House of Represenatives: while Chief Geoff Onuoha ( Ugwumba), Bro. Kenn Obiekea, Late Ignatius Okeahialam (Ihiemba), Engr. Ifeanyi Okoroigwe, and  Mazi Innocent Ike are acknowledged as notable donors.

– Njoku Macdonald Obinna,