4Th LIFE FLOUR MILLS GOLF CLASSIC: EZEKIEL MICHAEL WINS, ..ASAGBA, OCHULOR, 1ST, 2ND RESPECTIVELY.

 Life Flour Mills Golf Classic : Ezekiel Michael Win4ths 

... Asagba, Ochulor, 1st, 2nd Runner-up Respectively 

...15 Pros played at  the event 

(Captain of the Sapele Athletics Golfs Club, Alexander Verhees)

Ezekiel Michael, on Saturday, won the 2024 edition of the Life Flour Mills' sponsored golf classic at the Sapele Athletic Golf course in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria. 

The men members' winner  Michael, Gross 71, Handicap 5, and Net 66 to emerge the overall winner  of this year's Life Flour Mills Golf Classic. 

Stephen Asagba, and O. Ochulor, are 1st and 2nd runners up, respectively. Asagba, Gross 87, Handicap 16, and Net 71 to emerge the second best golfer at the just concluded Golf Classic, while Ochulor, who was the 2nd runner up Gross 96, Handicap 24, and Net 72.

Other winners at the  event are: Longest Drive category: Men winner: J. Obanor;  Women winner: R. Izoje; Nearest the PIN : Men winner: B. Ibrahim; Eaglets category: Winner: Godbless Walter, Gross 82 and Veterans category: Winner: K. Orubebe, Gross 88, Handicap 27, and Net 61;  Runners up: E. Esiri, Gross 88, Handicap 20, and Net 68. The 2nd runner-up is Clifford Ogbechi, who  Gross 96, Handicap 22, and  Net 74.

(Oldest and former Captain Pa. Amos Edoriagba, receiving his award)

Others are: At the Super Veterans category, Peter Asagba emerged the winner.  He Gross 102, Handicap 27 and Net 75. Chief FAITH Gbagi emerged the runner-up with Gross 113, Handicap 26, and Net 87 C/B. 2nd

Runner-up, Pa Amos Edoriagba, Gross 111, Handicap 24, and Net 87 C/B.

Best Gross category: Winner: B. Ibrahim. He Gross  73; Guest Men category: Winner: O. Asien.  He Gross 79, Handicap 12, and Net 67 C/B. Runner-up: L. Ogunpitan, who Gross 88, Handicap 21, and Net 67 C/B; 2nd runner up O. Whiskey, Gross 83, Handicap 14, and Net 69.

Still others are: Ladies Member category: Winner is I. Esumeh, who Gross 110, Handicap 36, and Net 74. The runner-up here  is L. Akpieyi. She Gross 95, Handicap 20, and Net 75. And the 2nd runner-up is B. Okafor,  who Gross 115, Handicap 36, and Net 79.

Alexander Verhees, the Captain of the Sapele Athletics Golf Club and the General Manager of Life Flour Mills Limited ( Seaboard), the sponsor of the 2024 Sapele Athletic Club Golf Classic applauded the players’ brilliance and top-level competition at the fourth edition.

He said the competition keeps improving from one edition to the other, adding that this edition witnessed the invitation of 15 professional golfers from Edo and Delta State that added colours to the event.  We continue to improve the quality of our tournament. 

“We have about 70 participants at this year's edition. We have invited Professionals golfers about 15 of them from Edo and Delta States, and they all represent the best in this tournament . We look forward to making this competition a platform for Nigeria and other African players to showcase their talent at the professional level,” he said. 

One of the winners at this year's event is Chief  Peter Asagba, a former captain of the Sapele Athletics Golf Club.  Speaking to  journalists at the event, he said, “If you look at golf from the outside, you don’t see anything interesting. I worked for Shell for 15 years, I never stepped my leg on the golf course because I saw them as lazy people until I got committed. Golf is one of the best games in the world all over, and that is a game you can play from youth to old age as long as you can walk.

“Today the young ones are there. People think that golf is an elite sports and that is a wrong assumption.  If you can not play from place to place, you can play in your locality and you will enjoy it.”

Another winner and current oldest member of the club, 84 years old Amos Edoriagba, who said he had to abandon tennis for golf. “I joined in 1986. At that time, we had foreigners playing golf here. People were coming to play, but now the interest has weighed down.

“When I was the Captain, there were a lot of people who wanted to play here. There were a lot of them who bought kits.

“The major problem we have is that people don’t even understand the importance of golf presently, they don’t know. By 1986, when three of us came to play golf, we never went back to tennis. Golf is a game of life," he said. 

The competition teed off on Thursday, October 31st, with the invited Professionals  playing. The members of the Sapele Athletics Golf Club took the centre stage on Friday, 1st November, while the veterans and super veterans had their round on Saturday, November 2nd to  round off the colourful 3 days event.

 The Sapele Athletic Golf Club, which was once known as Sapelo and later Sapilo Golf Club, is reputed to be the oldest Golf Club in Nigeria. The club was said to have been formed in 1898  by a coterie of European sailors and captains of ships who were said to have traversed the Atlantic Ocean from the United Kingdom down to River Ethiope which has its source from Umuaja, a village in the present Ukwani local government area of Delta state. Others posit that the club was founded in 1908.

Its first documented competition was said to have been held in June 1914, and the tournament was won by H.M.   Mansfield.

This is evident in the giant trophy still being preserved in the archives of the club donated in 1913 by Sir Owen Philip (KGMG) then Chairman of Elder Dempster and Directors of the company to “Sapelo Golf Club”.

Mansfield victory in 1914 was followed by the 1916 edition of the competition, which was won by S.D. Fraser, 1919 edition was won by J.W. Maskew.

In 1922 and 1923, by the names inscribed in the trophy, D.J. Martins won the two editions while the edition of 1931 was won by R.C Little. In 1933, Dr T.B. Mcalear won the tournament, and then in 1934, C.D. Avy won the tournament. There were many annual competitions then especially when the expatriates in Sapele and neighbouring cities patronised Sapele Golf Club.

Golf enthusiasts say geographically, with the topography of Sapele as a rain forest, it would take a minimum of five years using manual labour to build a golf terrain, an indication that the Sapele golf club existed long before 1913 when the trophy was donated and 1914 when the first tournament was held.

OBOREWORI'S COMMITMENT TO SAPELE DEVELOPMENT IS UNWAVERING -HON PERKINS UMUKORO.

         

          by

Ogirisen Daniel

The member representing Sapele at the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) Hon. Perkins Umukoro, has reiterated Governor Oborevwori's commitment towards the development of Sapele, through His MORE Agenda. 

Okakuro Umukoro disclosed this while hosting members of the Sapele Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, (NUJ). 

Hon. Perkins noted that currently there is twelve (12) road project of about 16km in various stages that are ongoing in Sapele as part of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's MORE Agenda. The roads are: Amukpe junction, down to Ikwewu Community, Okirighwre/Benin road, down to Gammon Bridge, Shell road extension, to link New Ogorode road, from Ajogodo, Orhorho road, Major Bowen road to link New Ogorode road, Benin road by Green Egbedi road and Abeke road, Uko road, down to Otuedor/Ugberikoko road, The road by Orodje Grammar School, down to Okirigbagha, Anegbe lane, linking Abeke road and New Ogorode road, respectively, Hausa road extension, down to Commercial Avenue, and Agbegbe Avenue, to link Uko road. Adding that MORE projects are still coming, he said.

 

Chief Umukoro further noted that the state government is also already on ground at the Sapele General Hospital, with a view to building more infrastructure and providing more state-of-the art medical equipments.

The Delta State House of Assembly Chief Whip, condemned the act of content creator, Uge Elohor Kenneth, who through his viral video, claimed that the government is not working on road development within Sapele Local Government Area. Adding that with the unprecedented numbers of roads currently being constructed simultaneously within Sapele Local Government Area, governor Oborewori, deserves accolades, and not vilification.

Okakuro Perkins Umukoro, then appealed to the good people of Sapele to always support the government of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. Adding that his MORE Agenda will deliver greater benefits to Sapele.

He further appealed members of the fourth estate of the realm, to partner with the government, to ensure that the people of Sapele are constantly made aware of government's developmental strides in all areas.

PERKINS SCORES GOVERNOR OBOREVWORI HIGH ON PROJECT EXECUTION IN SAPELE.

*JOURNALIST SHOULD PLAY A BALANCE ROLE IN COVERAGE OF GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES.*

Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Member representing Sapele Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly has scored Governor Oborevwori high on project execution in Sapele and other parts of Delta State.

Hon. Perkins stated this when members of Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Sapele Chapel, paid him a visit on Saturday 12 October,  at his Country Home in Sapele.

Umukoro said the Oborevwori administration has been very gracious to Sapele in terms of execution of projects, citing the ongoing construction of Twelve(12) roads within Sapele local government Area.

The Chief Whip of the Delta State House of Assembly added that if the governor is working on 12 roads in Sapele in the first year of his 1st Tenure of Four Years, , then Sapele should expect about 40 to 48 roads to be attended to before the end of the 1st Tenure of the governor in office.

Umukoro cited some unprecedented road projects in Sapele, such as the rehabilitation of Hausa road to Commercial Avenue , as areas many residents never expect to see touched in their lifetime, but these roads are presently being attended to, showing governor Oborevwori 's commitment to areas previously ignored.

He called for patience from Sapele residents, noting that in a matter of time, many other roads will be touched.

Umukoro used the opportunity to condemn the recent criticism of government projects in Sapele by a content creator, Mr. Kenneth  Elohor ugeh, that criticized the state of a  street in Shell road, Sapele, claiming that the government is not trying.

Umukoro pointed out that what Mr. Kenneth did was wrong because the governor has already started work in Sapele before this viral video.

It should be noted that Sapele is just One out of 25 local governments areas in Delta State and if the governor has touched 12 road projects in Sapele already in just one year in office, he should be commended, because more roads will be touched in subsequent years.

The notion that nothing is being done with respect to road projects in Sapele as depicted by Mr. Kenneth 's Satirical commentary is condemnable and should be discarded.

The visit was also an opportunity for Journalist to commended the law Maker for his efforts in Sapele, noting his visible contributions and community projects.

Responding, Umukoro expressed his gratitude to God and the State Government for these feats, reaffirming his dedication in representing the interest of the people.

Umukoro further noted that he is accessible to all in Sapele and he has established a Foundation known as Sheriff Perkins Foundation, aimed at empowering his Constituents, and a Constituency office, to ensure  that people can reach him as he wish to stay connected with the grassroots.

The lawmaker called on Journalist to play a balance role in coverage of government activities, emphasizing the need for both criticism and Praise. " Criticism is necessary, so is Appreciation" He Stated.

In his conclusion, Umukoro reiterated his openness to dialogue and his commitment to the development of Sapele, emphasizing a forward - looking approach to development in Sapele and continued collaboration with the press.

SAPELE WELCOME ESISO BACK HOME.

It was a joyous occasion as PDP Leaders, Faithfuls and Sapele residents welcome home the immediate past PDP State Chairman Chief Barr. Kingsley Esiso back to Sapele after his tenure in office.

A motorcade escorted Esiso from Amukpe roundabout , moving through the ever busy Sapele/Warri road to Shell road, where Chief Esiso Country home is situated .

In a welcome address, the Chairman PDP, Sapele Hon. Francis Ikpigben, said it is with immense joy and gratitude that he welcome the immediate past State PDP Chairman, Chief Barr. Kingsley Esiso back to Sapele after completing his 8 year tenure in office.

Your return to our fold mark a significant limestone in the annals of our party and we are deeply honour to have you back.

Over the past 8 years, you have served as Delta State PDP chairman with unwaving dedication, commitment and visionary leadership.

Your tenure was marked by numerous achievement including the consolidation of our party unity, the strengthening of our structures and the mobilization of members to achieve electoral victories.

Under your leadership, PDP emerged victorious in 2019 election securing a resounding mandate for Sen.Dr. Effianyi Okowa.

Your strategic guidance and tireless efforts plays a pivotal role in his triumph.

Furthermore you played a key role in the 2023 elections which saw the emergency of Elder Sheriff Oborevwori as the Governor of Delta State.

Your influence and your acumen were instrumental in this historic achievement.

Beyond electoral victories, you have also used your influence to attract significant infrastructural development to Sapele and environe.

Your construction of good roads, Schools, health care facilities stands as a testament to your commitment to the wellbeing of our people .

Your unwaving support for the PDP, your dedication to the unity of our party and your unwaving commitment to the development of Sapele, have earn you the respect and admiration of all.

You are a true Sapele Son and we are proud to have you as one of our own.

As you return to our fold, we are confident your leadership will guide us towards greater heights.

Your experience, wisdom and political sagacity will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

We are grateful for your return. Your presence inspires us, your leadership motivate us and your vision will guide us.

Together we will continue to build a stronger PDP and a more prosperous Sapele.

Others interviewed were full of praise for Chief Esiso.

Hon. Raymond Overah, the Publicity Secretary PDP Sapele said Esiso is a very good Man that accept all with open hands.

Overah said as Chairman PDP Delta State, Esiso unified the PDP Family and is loved by all as attested by the huge turnout of persons that have come to welcome him back home.

As stated by the Chairman PDP, Sapele, Barr. Esiso brought numerous infrastructural development to Sapele and enhanced numerous appointments for many in Sapele.

He will be missed at the state level but his legacy lives on.

Highlights of the occasion was the celebration that follows the welcome ceremony.

SAPELE RESIDENTS TESTIFY OF THE PHILANTHROPIC GESTURE OF OMEGA PROPHETIC PRAYER MINISTRY AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR NINTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

Sapele residents testified of the Philanthropic Gesture Of Omega Prophetic Prayer Ministry (OPPM), Sapele as the Church celebrate her 9th year of ministry in SAPELE.

It was celebration galore as members, invited guest and well-wishers gathered at the Church main auditorium at Amukpe on Monday 12 August for the grand finale of the celebration that lasted for over a week.

The Theme for the anniversary was " Grace and Mercy" and throughout the program, Pastor Daniel Ololo, the General Overseer of the ministry took time out to expose the scripture to all with regards to God's Grace and Mercy that is available to all that seek it.

The sermons was followed with prophetic utterances for the blessing of all.

Highlights of the day was the award of gift, scholarship and others to members and non members cum the cutting of the anniversary Cake.

Many interviewed testified to the Pastoral gesture of Pastor Ololo on his members.

Roseline Awatefe a resident in the church vicinity, testified that Ololo is a Pastor that has imparted the lives of not only his members but to all that his "part has crossed" .

She added that the Pastor will run to assist his members in trouble even if the call comes late at night.

Florence Thinkan, a member Testified that Pastor Ololo cares so much for them that he takes care of the Tuition fee of most of the students in the church, help those that are hungry and most times, pays their rent.

It was a blissful celebration as Pastor Ololo said when speaking with the press, that he gives all glory to God Almighty for keeping the ministry these Nine(9) good years and the ministry is growing on a daily basis from strength to strength in all sphere.

NUJ SAPELE CHAPEL AFFIRMS POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH COUNCIL CHAIRMAN.

In a recent development that underscores the harmonious relationship between the media and local governance, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Sapele Correspondents' Chapel has officially disassociated itself from a misleading online publication alleging threats by Sapele Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chief Bright Abeke. This move highlights the Chapel's commitment to maintaining integrity and promoting constructive engagement with local Leadership.

The Sapele NUJ Chapel has been thrust into the spotlight following an online post by a Facebook page identified as "Real Sapele Amebo," which falsely accused Hon. Chief Bright Abeke of threatening the union. The NUJ Sapele Chapel swiftly responded with a formal disclaimer, emphasizing that no such incident occurred and that the union had no knowledge or evidence of any threats made by the chairman.

In their statement, the NUJ Sapele Chapel vehemently denied any claims of discord between the union and the council chairman. They articulated their disappointment with the publication, condemning it as a "careless media act" that risks tarnishing the reputation of both the union and its relationship with local governance.

Comrade Nelson Agbajor, Chairman of the NUJ Sapele Chapel, and Comrade Rita Daniel, Assistant Secretary, both underscored the Chapel's longstanding tradition of collaboration with local authorities. Their recent meeting with Hon. Chief Bright Abeke on August 12th was, in fact, a gesture of goodwill. The meeting was intended to congratulate Abeke on his recent electoral victory and to foster a cooperative relationship moving forward.

This positive interaction aligns with the NUJ Sapele Chapel's history of working harmoniously with past council chairmen. The union expressed its eagerness to extend its support to Abeke’s administration, reinforcing their commitment to constructive journalism and supportive local governance.

The NUJ Sapele Chapel’s swift and decisive action in addressing the misinformation serves as a reminder of the importance of professionalism in journalism. By publicly disassociating itself from the false claims and reaffirming its supportive stance towards the council chairman, the Chapel demonstrates its dedication to ethical reporting and transparent communication.

The NUJ Sapele Chapel’s leadership also urged the public and media practitioners to avoid sensationalism and unprofessional conduct that could damage reputations and relationships. Their stance promotes a culture of respect and mutual understanding, crucial for effective governance and community engagement.

The recent statement by the NUJ Sapele Chapel not only clarifies the situation regarding the alleged threats but also reaffirms their positive and supportive relationship with Hon. Chief Bright Abeke and his administration. As local media continues to play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse, the Chapel’s actions highlight the importance of maintaining professional standards and fostering collaborative relationships with local leaders. 

Through their commitment to integrity and constructive engagement, the NUJ Sapele Chapel sets a commendable example of how media organizations can contribute to a more informed and harmonious community.

INTEGRITY;KEY TO JOURNALISM.**HON. CHIEF ABEKE BRIGHT AFURE SAPELE LGA CHAIRMAN.

*

~ Ogirisen Daniel              

Hon. Chief Afure Bright Abeke, Chairman of Sapele Local Government Area, has enjoined journalist in Sapele to always show integrity in their professional assignments. 

Chief Abeke made this remark when members of Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ, Sapele Correspondence Chapel, paid him a courtesy visit, in his office, today, Monday, 12th of August, 2024. 

The Council boss advised media practitioners to always verify stories before publishing as it a Hallmark of professionalism and integrity. He added that since the media is very crucial to democracy and by extension, his administration, he will always partner with members of the press at all times. 

Speaking earlier, Chairman of Sapele NUJ Chapel, Comrade Nelson Agbajor, informed the Council boss, that the body is on a courtesy call to officially congratulate him on his victory at the polls, with a view to partner with his administration, towards the development of Sapele Local Government Area.