Delta: Athletes participate in inaugural Otorho-Idjerhe Marathon

The maiden Otorho-Idjerhe Marathon, jointly organised by FENCSO Event Sports Management and Marketing, Seplat Energy, and D’Life Dynasty, has successfully taken place in Delta State.

The event, themed ‘Legacy Run to Promote the Rising of Idjerhe Kingdom’, was held in honour of the fifth coronation anniversary of the paramount ruler, His Royal Majesty, King Obukowho Monday Arthur Whiskey, JP, PhD, Udurhie I, the Ovie of the Great Idjerhe Kingdom.

Athletes drawn from across all 36 states of the federation, including serving military, naval, and police personnel, participated in the landmark race, competing for a star prize of ₦300,000.

Engr. Usman Sanni, co-convener and sponsor representing D’Life Dynasty, described the marathon as part of the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at introducing a unifying sporting activity to the community while celebrating the monarch’s legacy.

He explained that the “Legacy Run” was conceived to promote health, unity, and progress within the Kingdom, adding that organisers intend to make it an annual event with improved features in subsequent editions.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Engr. Sanni said, “We at D’Life Dynasty wanted to bring something new to our community, and this event reflects that vision. We decided that the best way to unite this community was to introduce a marathon in honour of the legacy of our traditional ruler.

“The ‘Legacy Run’ represents our collective commitment to building a lasting heritage of health, unity, and progress for Idjerhe Kingdom. It is a symbolic run towards a brighter and more promising future, reflecting the rising prominence and pride of our beloved Kingdom.

“It is our hope that today’s event will inspire sustained interest in sports across Idjerhe Kingdom and beyond,” he added.

In his remarks, King Obukowho Monday Arthur Whiskey expressed profound appreciation to the organisers, particularly Engr. Longlife Eko of D’Life Dynasty, for initiating the historic competition.

He emphasised the event’s potential to foster unity, development, public awareness, and political participation among the people. The monarch also stressed that merit was prioritised in the competition, noting that the top four winners came from Plateau, Delta, Ondo, and Idjerhe, respectively—an indication that the race was not designed to favour local athletes.

Speaking on the future of the marathon, King Whiskey said, “This initiative will strengthen the spirit of unity, oneness, development, and awareness, and to a large extent, encourage political participation among our people. We have representatives from nearly all 36 states today, and we look forward to attracting participants from West African countries in the next edition.

“My message to Idjerhe people is that through unity, we can attract government attention to our developmental needs. Sports remain one of the most effective tools for bringing people together.

“We did not organise the Idjerhe Marathon to patronise local athletes alone. If our sons and daughters participate and emerge first or second, they will be duly honoured.”

While congratulating all participants, the monarch commended their resilience, saying, “Your courage, endurance, and determination reflect the true spirit of Idjerhe. Whether you ran to win, to challenge yourself, or simply for the love of the sport, you finished—and that alone is victory.”

King Whiskey appealed to his people to maintain peace and unity to attract further development to the Kingdom. He assured that the marathon would become an annual event, potentially expanded with additional activities such as free medical services and cultural displays.

The event drew several prominent sons and daughters of the Kingdom, including the Uzzi Onosia James Obriki, the Crown Otota (Iyasere) of the Great Idjerhe Kingdom, and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Halim Agoda, among others.

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