Inside Kano’s serene golf resort

The people of  Kano are  known for their hospitality and accommodating nature. They are also known to be  inclined to their traditions, especially their historic festivities, and  perhaps that was why the state has maintained a history in entertaining every prominent visitor not only to the state but ALSO to the nation in general. However, […]

The people of  Kano are  known for their hospitality and accommodating nature. They are also known to be  inclined to their traditions, especially their historic festivities, and  perhaps that was why the state has maintained a history in entertaining every prominent visitor not only to the state but ALSO to the nation in general.

However, various fun resorts have been created within and outside the state capital, to compliment the need for relaxation centres in the state. It is obvious that many people in the state have developed the habit of visiting places like the zoo, children parks and other fun providing locations ,especially during the holidays and festive periods to while away the time.Moreover, the need for such relaxation centres increases by the day and sadly such centres keep folding-up due to economic and other reasons connected to the prevalent insecurity affecting the nation in general.

No doubt, most people would consider their home as the ideal place to relax. But it is also apparent that many would want to have a quiet, serene and natural setting to get fresh air as a form of relaxation.

Then came Porto Golf Luxury Resort situated about 23km away from the city of Kano. According to a staff of the resort, Mr Uche Laurence; Porto Golf started as a relaxation garden which serves as a gate-away from the dusty and noisy city, to families, businessmen, tourists and fun seekers.  He added that what gradually started as a mere garden, began to attract many people who had wanted to stay there for more than a day and that, according to him, was what brought the idea of having accommodation facilities  in the park.

“Initially, the main idea was to provide a serene atmosphere away from the dusty and noisy city life. The garden was started as a centre where one will come and relax with the all green provision beside the Wase dam. The setting provided a beach scenario that attracted families, businessmen, tourists and fun seekers. Gradually, the number of visitors kept increasing, and many of them wanted to stay here for more than a day. Therefore, based on the increasing number we decided to expand the resort to cover accommodation,” said Mr Uche.

A visit to the resort revealed a good and serene atmosphere with a beautiful edifice that signifies  good architectural innovation with state of the art landscaping. The beautiful trees, sweet gentle breeze,  ripples on the Dam’s water and the sound of various beautiful birds, make it an ideal place to remain close to nature. It  is a place where one can think about many things without any disturbance, relax his mind and get away from the monotonous city life.

However, the resort also has a golf field and a polo pitch with a mini zoo to make the scenario worthwhile. The zoo has in stock many varieties of not too wild animals and also an ultramodern childrens park with sophisticated games for children, has been one of the major points  of attraction to most families on a visit to the park. It is apparent that the management of the resort has a great deal of experience in terms of  what relaxation really entails.

One major feature that gives the Porto Golf Luxury Resort a unique outlook is its  green look. Irrespective of the season at hand, everywhere is green. Moreover, the location of the resort close to the dam has also made the environment so serene and conducive for all sorts of fun and relaxation seekers.

Sani Muhammad is a professional photographer and a regular customer of the resort. According to him, he has travelled wide in the course of his profession and that the Minjibir Porto Golf Resort has been one of his favourite spots for his photo shoots.

“I have been a regular visitor to this place because it gives me the natural scenario I always want for my pictures, and also it allows me have a good rest after the day’s work is done. Moreover, most of my clients especially those that are from outside the state, are always impressed with the setting of the resort. If I may exaggerate a little, the place is a substitute to what is obtainable in places like Johannesburg and Sun City in South Africa,” said Muhammad.

For Alhaji Musa Adam Wakawa ,an international businessman and a resident of Abuja, the resort has been his favourite spot for quite a long time. According to him, he has been a regular visitor from inception to the moment when accommodation facilities were set up. He added that at  every slight  opportunity he found  to relax ,he made sure he visited the resort.

“As an international businessman, I have little time to relax and whenever I am in Nigeria, you will find me here. The scenery of this place is indeed breath-taking, I bet you, go and ask all the people you have seen here and you will find out that the park merges  the beauty of nature with modernity, thereby making it a perfect spot to rest. These are virtually every visitor’s thoughts of the place and I can authoritatively say to you that it is a honest remark,” Wakawa revealed.

Usman Bala Gadawur is a Jigawa based writer who has  found comfort in visiting the resort whenever he has the chance. According to him his initial thought was that in the whole of Nigeria there is  no better place to relax than the  Obudu Cattle ranch, but he has since changed that perception when he visited the porto resort.

“The busy city of Kano state has no other place like this one. Once inside, I can forget the busy schedule, think clearly, concentrate on revising my plans, breathe fresh air, sit in a silent corner of the resort, and can read books or a magazine without any interruption. As a writer, it might sound a bit awkward but I get the most alluring inspiration to write while in the park. 

“Before my visit to this place, if you ask me I would outrightly tell you that there is no good place to relax better than the Obudu Cattle ranch.But I have since changed  my mind with a single visit to this place,” he said.  

For Hajjo Farouk, it is good for every individual to pay a visit to the resort at least once a month for it provides a lot of comfort to the mind and the soul, “Usually, I go there to walk or to get away from the crowd. It is also a good place to read books or newspapers. I often take a book and read under one of the large trees. When I go there with my friends, I mostly prefer to sit beside the dam and gossip with them,” she said.

It was also gathered that the resort will begin a mini polo tournament and also a golf competition to entertain its guests ,as well as the open a fishing site. Therefore, whenever you are in Kano, just take a small trip of not less than 23km to enjoy  nature at the  Porto Golf and Luxury Resort.