By Desmond Ejibas
Opobo (Rivers) – Shehu Muazu and Charity Agofure have emerged as winners of the 7th edition of the 17-kilometre Opobo Marathon competition, which featured over 500 amateur athletes from across the country.
The one-day event, held in Opobo Town, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers, on Saturday, saw Muazu, an indigene of Plateau, claimed the top prize of N500,000 in the male category.
Bapije Yusuf secured second place with a prize of N250,000, while Ismael Sadjo finished third, earning N200,000.
In the female category, Delta-born Charity Agofure clinched the N500,000-star prize.
Blessing Bulus from Plateau took second position, winning N250,000, and Jecinta Elias finished third, taking home N200,000.
In the special categories, Henry Jaja won a prize for Best Performing Indigenous Athlete, earning N100,000, while David Jaja was crowned Teen Winner, receiving N50,000.
Speaking after his victory, Muazu expressed gratitude to the organisers for providing a platform for athletes to showcase their talents.
He described the marathon as highly competitive and well-organised, noting that his success was as a result of thorough preparation.
Addressing the athletes, HM King Dandeson Jaja praised their competitiveness and professionalism throughout the event.
He commended the organisers for putting Opobo Kingdom on the global map through the successful organisation of the seventh edition of the competition.
“This event has made significant impact on sports and tourism in the Niger Delta region.
“We encourage the organisers to elevate the competition to an international standard by inviting long-distance runners from East Africa, a region renowned for its dominance in marathon,” he said.
The Founder and Project Lead of the marathon, Henry Cookey, expressed gratitude to the athletes, sponsors, and fans for contributing to the event’s success.
He said that the marathon was organised to showcase the tourism potential of the Opobo Kingdom as a tourist destination and to harness local talents for the country.
Cookey revealed plans to establish an Advisory Board to strengthen the marathon’s governance, expand partnership, and transform it into a globally recognized event.
