Golfers celebrate former Polaris Bank CEO Innocent C. Ike

Former Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Mr. Innocent C. Ike, has been honored for his contribution to the development of the game of golf in Nigeria.

Mr. Ike was recently honored by the Nigerian golfing community at a two-day invitational prize pool titled the Innocent C. Ike Classic, held at Lakowe Lakes Golf Resort, Lagos, Nigeria.

On day one of the tournament, female golfers competed against each other, while on day two, male golfers competed for coveted prizes in multiple categories.

The 18-hole classic attracted over 150 amateur and professional golfers and was an unprecedented carnival of fun, reunion and energy.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes to the winners in different categories. Mohammed Suleiman was the overall winner in the men's category, while Tim Ayomike was the 2nd runner-up. Sadiq Edu won the trophy for the longest journey in the Men's category.

Maryanne Udoka, Polaris Bank golfer and staff ambassador, emerged victorious in the women's Handicap category (19-36) with a net score of 68, while Candy Agu won the handicap category (0-18) . Mrs. Sila Ojo emerged as the winner of the longest route in the Ladies category.

The event was punctuated with messages of goodwill and congratulations from Nigerians from all walks of life.

Expressing his delight at Mr. Ike's contributions, the Chief Executive of the National Arts and Culture Council (NCAC) and Chairman of the Nigerian Golf Federation, (NGF) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, congratulated him on have set a standard for Nigeria business to emulate. In his words, “I am proud to be associated with the accomplishments of Mr. Innocent Ike. The golf community has benefited immensely from his support in promoting the game and the values ​​that golf represents. Through its support of the golf community, Polaris Bank has been widely recognized as "Nigeria's Most Golf Friendly Bank".

Speaking at the event, Dr. M. I. Okoro, the former captain of the 1938 Ikoyi club golf section, applauded Mr. Ike for his support of many golf clubs, especially the golf section of Ikoyi 1938 Club, IBB Golf Club, Ikeja Golf Club and a host of others in Nigeria. A delighted Dr Okoro noted, "It's no wonder that representatives from various clubs have come together on a day like this to say thank you."

Ikoyi Club 1938 President Mr. Ademola Mumuney appreciated Mr. Innocent Ike for his progress in promoting the Polaris brand to nooks and corners of the nation through a strategic partnership with golf clubs around the Nigeria. He claimed: “Polaris Bank sponsored the Ikoyi Club 1938 Range Fence Project to bring gaming security to the Club. This move earned them a three-year trademark right to the project. His partnership with golf stakeholders endeared him to the game, and he is now an enviable golfer.

On her part, Ms. Ekanem Ekwueme, the former President of the Women's Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) said, "I would like to thank Mr. Innocent Ike for his tremendous support to the Golf Federation; he has supported all golf clubs in Nigeria through mutually beneficial partnerships. A great example of this was the Nigerian Golf Summit held recently where Polaris endorsed the initiative."

Engineer Ibrahim Aminu Bagudu, Captain of Kaduna Golf Club 1921, expressed his joy “Mr. Innocent C. Ike has brought so much joy to Nigerian golf. We at Kaduna will never forget your support in organizing the First Royal tournament as part of Kaduna Golf Club's centenary celebrations."

One of Nigeria's top-ranked professional golfers, Sunday Olapade of Ikoyi Golf Club Nigeria, has thanked the former Managing Director/CEO for his support of professional golfers in the country. Olapade expressed his gratitude...