The Captain of Ibadan Golf Club, Ola Ibironke popularly called ‘Dudu Heritage” has died on Sunday at the club pavilion in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, after he had played 18 holes round of the game, and was reported to gave no sign of sickness before death came calling.
Penpushing reports that, the Ijesa born socialite and entertainment promoter who was 59, left seven children and his actress wife, Bimbo Oshin, while a source said, the deceased was also billed to participate in Golf Captain Invitational Tournament scheduled for weekend
The former captain of the club in Oyo State, Idowu Salami, in his reaction described the death of ‘Dudu Heritage’ as a big loss to the golfing circle, stressing that he was still extremely in shock over the ugly development.
“I’m still in shock; it’s extremely sad, pathetic and unbelievable. He died in the Club’s pavilion. His entire tenure was focused on the development of the club and the uplift of the game. He did so many innovational tournaments that had never happened in the history of golf in Nigeria’, Salami stated.
‘We were to play a tournament this weekend known as Golf Captain Invitational Tournament and it has never happened before not just in Nigeria but all over the world. It was aimed at bringing all past captains all over Nigeria together to have a forum and the vision is to rotate it annually for the growth of golf.
“I was with him when the incident happened. He was hale and hearty, he was fit physically. I was about driving out of the clubhouse when I was called to return and that my friend just slumped. So I rushed back and I met him on the floor and we tried to rush him to the hospital but I guess he died on the spot;, Salami added.
Penpushing further reports that, in her own reaction, a former Lady Captain of Ibadan Golf Club and Tiger Golf Club, Sumbo Oshile, described the demise of Ibironke as a rude shock to the entire golfers.
“An abrupt exit, while neck deep preparing for a historic tournament this weekend. His exit is a reminder to our ephemeral existence. He was indeed a gentle soul, easy in his strides, humble in his endeavours, focussed on his goal and a pleasant character. He was a good manager of people and the golfing circle where he was head,” Oshile said.
Penpushing also reports that, a professional golf player, Emeka Obi who was earlier with Dudu Heritage recalled that, in the course of their discussion told him to prepare for match between Otunba Abimbola Davis and Monday Edet on Tuesday.
‘As I was seated, he told me to prepare for our match between Otunba Abimbola Davis and Monday Edet on Tuesday. He then left to sit on a table behind me with a former Captain, Akin Funmilayo and Mr Olaide’, he recalled.
“It’s just sad because I was at the Ibadan Golf Club with him yesterday (Sunday).He came upstairs on Sunday evening and was making some jokes with some on my table. Thirty minutes after I left for my house, some people called me and asked what happened to him (Oshin), and that they wanted to know if it is true that he was dead? In all, he was a good man. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Obi said.
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