Captain of Ogwashi Country Club, Gabriel Okonkwo, on Tuesday said the idea of establishing the country club in Ogwashi Uku, headquarters of Aniocha south local government council of Delta state is to replicate a recreational country club modeled after the likes of Ikoyi Club with a competent management team and board of trustees.
Captain Okonkwo who was represented by the general secretary, Paul Udu, spoke during the handing over of the club to the management team and received by the club’s secretary general, Mr. Paul Udu at the club’s premises in Ogwashi Uku.
Speaking at the colourful event, Captain Okonkwo gave a rundown of the history of Ogwashi Country Club, revealing how it started, the component of the club, the personalities involved and the rationale behind its establishment.
He stated: “It all started like a dream. Few patriots, led by the indomitable Honourable Pascal Adigwe, saw the need to form an all-inclusive recreational club and mobilised the crème de la crème of Ogwashi-Uku elite to see how the dream could be actualized.
“The idea to build a secure, modern, functional fitness and leisure centre, with tennis courts, table tennis, swimming pool, gym and other indoor game facilities was birthed.
“The intention to utilise the dormant prime land in the Ogwashi-Uku GRA was mooted and Honourable Adigwe was assigned with the task of using his extensive network within the state and local governments as well as his contacts at the national assembly to turn the dream into a reality.
“Ogwashi Country Club has since been birthed and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“It is not a members’ only club. It is open to both Ogwashi-uku people and residents of Ogwashi-Uku including people from our neighbouring communities.
“I have the utmost pleasure to report that a board of trustees is now in place as well as an interim management committee (IMC) to drive the affairs of the club.
“The IMC has, along with Hon. Adigwe, worked assiduously to see to the construction of a befitting club house which we have all gathered here today to witness the commissioning.”
A member of the board of trustees, Val Ozieh, told reporters that the idea of the Ogwashi Country Club is to have a recreational centre to be enjoyed by everyone.
He commended Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the minority leader of the House of Representatives and Pascal Adigwe for their contributions over the years and enjoined others to emulate their kind gestures.
Another member of the board, Dr. Francis Adigwe, a lawyer and consultant to various arms of government, also told newsmen that members of the board are “Proud to take over the good job the government through our friends, sponsors and individuals have done. We will continue from where they stopped.”
He said the club is made up of indigenes of the Ogwashi Uku and other neighbouring communities of the state, adding that well-meaning indigenes of Ogwash Uku came together and formed the Ogwashi country club.
He further stated that the club is registered with the CAC and it has power and capacity to hold the property. He added that the intention of the club management is to further develope the club and make it a beautiful recreational centre for all.
According to him, membership of the club cut across all the local governments in Delta state, noting that the club already has members from other communities, and local governments in the state.
A Diaspora member of the club, Reginald Ofuani, who is based in Florida, United States of America, told journalists that the club would be used for events, functions and relaxations after the day’s work.
He said the objective of the club, beside providing opportunity for relaxation and unwinding, is aimed at taking Ogwashi Uku from where it is at the moment to another level of development.
He noted: “When we were growing up, this was the best place we lived and we enjoyed it before we ended up being where we got to and where we are now. This project is going to help us enormously to get to where we need to go, he asserted.
Answering a question on the contribution of the Diasporas, he said: “The contributions we made was getting the right people to do this project. It is getting people with the right frame of mind and ability to make sure that the right thing is done. This is the first phase of the project, there will be second and third phases.”
General Secretary of the club, Paul Udu, on his part, said the project was birthed within a year and half, noting that six persons mooted the idea and discussions were made, and the result was the giant project.
“I’m one of the founding members of this concept. We were five or six that came together over a year and half ago and discussed this idea. We are actually very surprised that we’ve gone this far.
“Most of our members are people in Diaspora, the UK, US, China and others. They are all very excited about it. We don’t live in Ogwashi Uku, only one or two members live here. When we are in town, this is where we will be hanging out.”
The Chairman of the local government council, Jude Chukwuwike, said the local government played a critical role in providing the land for its establishment.
Represented by Prince Okonjo, secretary to the local government, the council chairman said: “At the end of the day when we are through with our day’s work, we can come here and have some refreshment and relaxation.
“We may decide to also do some exercises, lawn tennis and others. Some of our elders who have retired, when they come, they will have somewhere that looks like what they see in Lagos or any other place here in Ogwashi Uku. The project is a noble one and the handlers are respected indigenes of Ogwashi Uku community.”
The keys were handed over to the club’s general secretary, Paul Udu by representative of the contracting firm, Engr. Chukwuma Ugwunwa.
