The Imo youth maiden marathon, tagged ‘Marathon of Peace’ was held in grand style with the emergence of winners.
The marathon, which attracted a great number of youths across the state who turned out to participate, started from the Government House entrance gate to Heroes Square along Concord Road, Owerri.
Clinton Amara came first in the male category, while Affigbo Esther and Elias Jecinta made first and second positions in the female category, among 20 other winners.
Flagging off the competition, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State commended youths in the state for working against insecurity in the land
Uzodimma commended the youths for coming out in large numbers to participate in the marathon organised through the Ministry of Youth and Talent Hunt Development.
He said that the exercise will make the youth healthy and think well and straight all the time, while commending the Commissioner for Youths and Talent Hunt Development, Hon. Emeka Mandela, for his resilience in mobilising the youths of the state.
Uzodimma pledged his administration’s determination to continue to support the youths to live a meaningful life, both for their own benefit and that of the state.
In his speech at the flag-off, the Commissioner for Youths and Talent Hunt Development, Mandela said, “That youth participation in the marathon tagged Peace Marathon shows their respect to the government, which is targeted at ensuring the promotion of peace in the state.
“Imo State is now a safe haven amongst all the states in the Federation.”
He declared that the winners in both the male and female categories will go home with N500,000 each, among other consolation cash prizes.
