Oloibiri, a Bayelsa oil 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 organizers, the marathon event which will be the first of its kind to ever hold in this part of the country, will attract local and international runners to participate in any one of the three
race categories, including 5km, 10km and the main 21km race.
The event which is promoted by Mahogany 21 Century Concepts in collaboration with relevant
institutional partners and stakeholders is aimed at promoting sports and talent development and other socio-economic benefits.
The project coordinator, Mr Eyinimi Omorozi, said the marathon run will also serve as a strategic platform to give national and international recognition and visibility to Oloibiri in the attempt to promote and preserve for posterity the oloibiri national historical heritage that
has far too long been abandoned.
He explained that the neglected and seemingly forgotten Oloibiri will be brought to the lamplight once 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 govemment 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.
