BUHARI BOOSTS OKPEKPE RACE

Okpekpe road, Edo State

This year’s Okpekpe race has received a major boost as the President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari says the opening of the Okpekpe road by the Edo State Government will boost the economy of the area.

The 10km Okpekpe race which is an IAAF bronze labeled COMPETITION is an annual marathon which attracts top athletes from across the globe.

While giving his support for the race when he commissioned the road recently, the President-elect said, “A road like this Okpekpe road will boost the economy and it is something that only government can provide as has been done by the Edo State Government.

President-elect, Maj.-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (left) commissions the Okpekpe road, with him is Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (middle) and Prince Tony Momoh, one-time Minister of Information.

“There is no doubt that this road will give accessibility to this community. Projects like this is a testimony of the huge level thinking of the APC and how the APC government will transform the country for good”.

On his part, Governor of the State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said, “I feel fulfilled that God has used us to make a difference in the lives of very ordinary people. We are convinced that rural Nigerians should benefit from development”.

Itemuagbor, Others Get Govt, Edo FA Plaudits

After the successful hosting of the second 10km Okpekpe race, which will soon get IAAF Golden rating, Edo Football Association have become the first to recognize one its own and initiator of the programme, and a the Honorary Adviser to Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Sports, Mr Mike Itemuagbor. Itemuagbor, was given a gold plated plaque for his efforts so far, even as the FA say they expect more from their great son.

The Edo State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Mobilisation, Hon Chris Okaeben has also spoken favourably of Edo Sports, the FA and plans to reposition the state away from the current manner where thuggery and other anti-sports activities which he said are the order of the day.

“We must be civil and take sports as entertainment not quarrel or fight every time we have a match at the Ogbe Stadium, there must be a winner and a loser or at worst a drawn game. We want to attract sponsorship and the current attitude will not help us”, Okaeben said at the closing ceremony of the Edo FA Cup, which was won 1-0 by Bendel Insurance over Dynamite Force FC also of Benin City.

At the occasion proper, few Edo indigenes who have contributed to sports development and football were awarded honorary plaques. Among them was the Sports Commissioner Hon Okaeben, Mr Mike Itemuagbor, an established sports marketing guru, for his outstanding role in Edo and Nigerian sports development, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pro Julius Ihonvbere, and one time Green Eagles top striker, Emmanuel Obasuyi alias Shakara, who recently retired as Head Coach of Edo FA and Barr BE Onuwabhagbe as well and Coach Solomon Ogbeide.

Edo FA Chairman, High Chief Abel Ehigie, abley assisted by his vice, Frank Ilaboya, assured that Edo FA, will surely bring back the glory days of football through adequate partnership with government and the private sector. The highly entertaining Edo Fed Cup final was watched by a sizeable crowd with Governor Oshiomhole represented by state SSG, Prof Ihonvbere.