Awka, Anambra State – In a bid to promote sports development and tourism in the region, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) has partnered with the Octagon Twin Lake Golf Club to develop a world-class golf course within the university’s premises.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Joseph Ifeanyichukwu Ikechebelu revealed that the golf course is being developed in collaboration with members of the Octagon Twin Lake Golf Club. According to him, the partnership aims to create a golf course that will compete favourably with others around the world.
“We are excited about this partnership, which will not only promote sports development but also boost tourism in the region,” the Acting VC said. “Our goal is to create a world-class golf course that will attract golfers from all over the world.”
As part of the efforts to develop the golf course, the university, in collaboration with the Octagon Twin Lake Golf Club, recently hosted the Christmas Kitty golf tournament, which was the second competition held at the course.
Notably, this year’s tournament saw a significant upgrade, with 18 holes played, compared to 9 holes played in last year’s edition. When asked about the experience, the Acting VC chuckled, “It was stressful, but that’s the joy of playing golf! We’re thrilled to have been able to host a more comprehensive tournament this year, and we look forward to continuing to grow and improve our golfing facilities.”
The Acting VC expressed his delight at the success of the tournament, which he said was a testament to the growing popularity of the golf course. He assured that the university will continue to work with the Octagon Twin Lake Golf Club to develop the golf course and host more tournaments in the future.
The tournament featured three categories: the ladies’ category, handicap 22-28, and handicap 0-21. The winners for the ladies’ category were Mrs. Chioma Okumah, who took third place; Justice Irene Ndigwe, who came in second; and Mrs. Amaka Okoye, who emerged as the first-place winner.
In the Men’s handicap 22-28 category, Barr. Ifeanyi Okumah took third place; Mr. Obinna Offoezie came in second; and Chief Obinna Ifekandu, popularly known as Pablo, won first place.
In the Men’s 0-21 handicap category, Rev. Fr. Oliver Agbo took third place; Mr. Obiora Obiabummuo came in second; and Mr. Ben Ilo emerged as the overall winner with a score of 62 nets.
In his brief speech, Mr. Ilo emphasized the importance of integrity as the hallmark of a true golfer. “Golf is a game of integrity, and as golfers, we must always conduct ourselves with honesty and sportsmanship,” he said. “We must respect the rules of the game, our fellow players, and the course itself. Integrity is what sets golf apart from other sports, and it’s what makes it such a wonderful game to play.”
Mr. Ilo also encouraged young golfers to take up the game, emphasizing its many benefits, including physical exercise, mental discipline, and social connections. “Golf is a game that can be played by people of all ages and backgrounds,” he said. “It’s a game that teaches us valuable lessons about perseverance, patience, and respect for others. I encourage everyone to give golf a try – you never know, you might just discover a new passion!”
Commenting on the success of the tournament, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Chief Ojukwu Obakasi, expressed his optimism about the future of golfing in the university. “We are thrilled with the success of this year’s tournament, and we are already looking forward to the next event. I can assure you that the next event will be a heavy improvement going forward. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our golf course becomes one of the best in the country,” Obakasi said.
He added that the development of the golf course is also aimed at supporting Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision to make Anambra State a hub for business, commerce, and tourism. “We believe that this golf course will be a major tourist attraction, and we are committed to making it a world-class facility,” Obakasi said.
With the ongoing development of the golf course, UNIZIK is poised to become a major hub for golfing in Nigeria and beyond. As the university continues to partner with the Octagon Twin Lake Golf Club, golf enthusiasts can expect to see a world-class golf course emerge in the heart of Anambra State.
