Nigeria golf fraternity loses icon Bawa

Two weeks ago, the pioneer Governor of Ekiti State, Colonel Muhammed Bawa, passed on at the age of 62 years. A lot of people groaned at the untimely death of this patriot who built Ekiti from the rubbles. But those who groaned loudest were golfers whose several golf lives were impacted by the sheer might of Bawa.

In 1996 when the late General Abacha sent Bawa to rule over Ekiti as a Military Administrator, that land was barely witnessing civilization. Then it will be unnecessary to add if the place had a golf course. There was no course on ground. This instantly became a challenge on Bawa who was solidly groomed on the game. He tried severally to be travelling to Ibadan so he could have a game but this soon became futile. For one, the trip was perilous and long. Again, the road was indeed bad. Bawa made up his mind. He would build a course for the state, at least to open the place up to a bigger Nigeria. But sadly, the state had no fund to finance a golf course.

Not a man who would give up hope on short notice, Bawa moved to his several friends at the Ikoyi Golf Club to help build a golf course for Ekiti State. Sir Lucky Omoluwa, an international business mogul set the ball rolling by putting initial cash on the table so work could roll on in Ado- Ekiti where the course is situated. Nigeria’s number one professional golfer at the time, Peter Akakasiaka and presently the national golf Referee, Ben Agbi, then moved on site to begin work on the front nine holes of the course. Port Harcourt Golf Club Resident Professional, Patrick Okpomo, soon joined in the construction to ensure the course was completed in record time. It was and in less than a year. It is however on record that this course was built without a dime from Ekiti State purse. This says plenty about the transparent life Bawa lived.

Then one sad day, Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose, during his first spell as the Governor of the state passed through the course and ordered his convoy to stop. He looked around and in his red mist felt the State was too low to have a course and thereafter ordered that the place be turned into a maize farm. This is where he witnessed the ‘red side’ of Bawa who dared him to collapse the course. Fayose, sensing the State played no part in the building of the course quickly backed down. Today, several elites of the State, including students from nearby Afe Babalola University, who presently enjoy playing on this course, all have so much to thank Colonel Bawa for.

Goodnight, a true Nigeria golf icon.