Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has declared his intention to run for an orphanage during the 5th Edition of the 10km Okpekpe Road Race scheduled to hold on May 13 in the state.
Obaseki announced this while receiving the organisers of the race led by Mr Mike Itemagbor at the Edo State Government House in Benin on Friday evening.
A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary, John Mayaki quoted the Governor as saying he decided to run for the Orphanage because he is a trustee of a Non-Governmental Organisation, We Care Trust, owned by the wife of the former governor of the state, Mrs Iara Oshiomhole.
He said the NGO was involved in providing succour to orphans in the state and he would use the platform to raise a donation for the NGO.
He also commended the organizers for ensuring that the race enjoyed more recognition internationally and was improved on a yearly basis.
Meanwhile, the organisers of the Okpekpe race disclosed that more innovations had been added to the race, such as the use of transponders and trackers to eliminate cheats.
Itemagbor said the Okpekpe race is a bronze category of the IAAF event, which makes the state a tourist attraction, during the hosting of the event.
He continued that athletes from 11 countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Turkey, Germany, Bahrain, Morocco, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burundi and Nigeria were expected to participate in this year’s edition.
He added that the former governor of the state, Mr Adams Oshiomhole would be made an honorary Grand Patron of Okpekpe Road Race for his contributions to the hosting of the race for four consecutive years.
The highlight of the event was the filling of the VIP participation form for the Okpepke race by the state governor.
Photo Caption: From left, Ade Ojeikere, Sport Editor, The Nation Newspaper, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Mike Itemagbor, and Secretary to Edo State Government, Barr Osarodion Ogie.
