Nigeria’s first oil bearing community holds remembrance marathon

Oloibiri, a Bayelsa community where crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria in 1958 has arranged a special marathon

Oloibiri, a Bayelsa community where crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria in 1958 has arranged a special marathon event tagged, “Oloibiri-Run Yenagoa Half Marathon” to attract international attention to the community.

According to the organisers, the event which would be the first of its kind in that part of the country, will attract local and international runners to participate in any of the three race categories – 5km, 10km and the main 21km race.

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The event which is promoted by Mahogany 21 Century Concepts, is aimed at promoting sport, talent development and other socio-economic benefits.

The project coordinator, Mr Eyinimi Omorozi, said the marathon would also bring national and international recognition and visibility to Oloibiri in the attempt to promote and preserve for posterity its heritage that has for long been abandoned.

He explained that the neglected and seemingly forgotten Oloibiri would be brought to limelight again through the event.

He added that the programme is designed as an annual international half marathon event brand that will attract the participation of amateur and professional athletes and visitors from within and outside Nigeria.

According to him, the Oloibiri-Run Yenagoa Half Marathon is intended to provide a platform for critical stakeholders, state and federal government agencies, local and international oil and gas companies, athletics associations, the media, citizens and others to freely interact at the various activities of the marathon event to achieve their corporate citizenship and marketing communications responsibilities and objectives.

He said the key facilitators and stakeholders expected to participate in the classic event include, the Bayelsa State government, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Petroleum  Development Trust Fund (PDFT) the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) among others.