Gov Otu Talks Sports Revolution In C-River
- As ex-Kwara Gov, others win prizes at Calabar Golf Club kitty
- Family honours late Pastor Ekpenyong O. Ita with tourney
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River has pledged to revolutionize sports as part of his ‘Peoples First’ agenda of repositioning the State for positive socio-economic growth and development in all sectors.
Speaking during the Memorial golf tournament kitty in honour of late Pastor Ekpenyong Okokon Ita at the Calabar Golf Club, Governor Otu said his administration is focused on uplifting and making sports generally attractive by putting the necessary structures in place to boost the sector, making it productive and lucrative for all stakeholders.
Represented by the Commissioner for Sports, Mrs Agnes Atsu at the event, the governor reminded the Calabar Golf Club’s management that as an honorary member, he was aware of their expectations, especially as the rare honor of naming hole 19 after him has placed the enormous task of living up to the high expectations that comes with such privilege.
However, he tasked them to prioritize the list of what is required to give the Club a befitting uplift while also stressing the need to correct the general notion that golf is an elitist sport by embarking on a grassroots talent hunt aimed at encouraging youths to embrace the game.
The Captain of the Calabar Golf Club, Major-General Ahmed M Sabo (rtd) thanked the State government for embarking on serious infrastructural upliftment in the state, sports inclusive, and pledged their determination to continue making a signature statement in sports development in the state using the game of golf as a reference point.
General Sabo reminded Governor Otu that Hole 19 which was named in his honor requires attention, and appealed to him to create time out of his busy schedule to tilt the hole, maintaining that golf brings people together for entertainment and friendship.
Also, the Club Captain thanked the sponsor of the kitty, Nyoki Ita for making golfing part of activities to mark the burial of his late father, adding that Holier 5 has been acquired and named after Late Pastor Ita and the kitty will become a full competition which will be hosted annually from next year.

In his remarks, the representative of late Pastor Ekpenyong Okokon Ita, and sponsor of the memorial kitty, Mr Nyoki Ita, announced the family’s readiness to make the memorial golf tournament kitty an annual event, explaining that the tournament was packaged by his family to celebrate the life and times of Late Pastor Ekpenyong Ita.
Nyoki Ita, a veteran broadcaster, who described his late father as a mentor who lived a good life and served as an inspiration to many, noted that he was a golf enthusiast who sponsored numerous tournaments like the Obong of Calabar Golf tournament.
He said with the Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF) aware of the tournament, and the late Pastor Ita being a committed member of the Calabar Golf Club during his lifetime, the family would stop at nothing to ensure that his name is immortalized
Highlights of the tournament witnessed the presentation of prizes to winners in both the female and male categories, with the overall winner, Mr Sam Kalio going home with a brand new Android plasma television set. The tournament, which drew golfers from across the country and some clubs including the Bonny Island Golf Club and Rumukurushi Golf Club, also saw Colonel Peter AM Ogar (rtd), who served as the 15th Governor of Kwara State between 1996 and 1998, winning the veterans category.
Other winners include Esther Eyo (Ladies); Raymond Ovat (Longest Drive for men); Esther Eyo (Longest drive for ladies); and Egbe Aruku (nearest to the pin).