Azubuike, Bulus win 6th Opobo marathon competition in Rivers

Chimaobi Azubuike and Blessing Bulus have won the 6th edition of the 16.5-kilometre Opobo Marathon, featuring over 100 amateur athletes from across the country.

The event, held in Opobo, Rivers, saw Azubuike, an Imo indigene, win the top prize of N500,000 for completing the marathon in 48 minutes in the male category.

Plateau born Yusuf Babije secured the second position, earning a prize of N200,000, while Eric Constance finished third, taking home N100,000.

In the women’s category, Bulus from Plateau claimed victory with a time of 49.5 minutes, wining N500,000-star prize.

Charity Agofure, a Delta native, secured the second position and was awarded N200,000, while Saibu Yetunde from Ogun took third place, earning N100,000.

Special individual prizes were presented to Jaja Tamuno for winning the indigenous category and to Queen Nwidah, 15, for being the youngest runner at the marathon.

In his reactions, Azubuike expressed shock at winning the marathon, saying the competition also had more experienced runners.

He said “at first, I did not want to participate in the marathon but later decided to come due to the wonderful things I read about Opobo town while growing up.”

On her part, Bulus, the Female category winner, expressed delight at her performance, saying her hard work and preparations had paid off.

Iyowuna Cookey, the Team Lead of the competition, said that the marathon is an annual event featuring amateur athletes nationwide.

He said the event was endorsed by the Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Jaja, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Platform Petroleum Limited, among others.

Jaja commended the organisers “for the high level competition and significant number of athletes representing all 36 states of the federation.”

The traditional ruler emphasised that the marathon has connected Nigerians to the warm hospitality and rich culture of the Opobo people.

“I will always support ideas that will bring people together in conviviality,” Jaja assured.