By Ayoola Adeleke
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon Comrade Philip-Shaibu on Saturday in Lagos once again inked his name in the history book after completing the Silver Labelled Lagos City Marathon.
Philip Shaibu who made history as the first-ever serving Deputy Governor in Nigeria to win a gold medal at the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival, in Benin City, again on Saturday, February 12, at the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, set another record as the first Deputy Governor to compete in the Silver Label Lagos City Marathon.
In the marathon, which started at 6:00a.m. at the National Stadium in Surulere and ended at the Eko Atlantic City, Dagne Siranesh Yirga of Ethiopia raced for two hours, 33 minutes and 50 seconds to come first in the women’s category while her compatriot, Alemenseh Herpha Guta clinched the silver medal in two hours, 34 minutes and 36 seconds in covering the 42KM marathon as Naomi Jepkosgei Maiyo of Kenya was two hours 35 minutes and 37 seconds to place third.
The Edo State Deputy Governor, whose presence drew a lot of followers from across the world, will again on Sunday attend the ‘Sportsville Awards of Excellence at the Radisson Hotel, Ikeja, where he will be decorated with Sports Recognition Award, alongside other sports personalities in the country.
Reacting to his participation in the marathon, the multi-talented athlete said it was a great one to be part of this great event which is in its seventh year and getting stronger.
“I must commend the Lagos State Government for the fantastic organization of this marathon and for making it better over the years. It was a great feeling for me to do sports outside my state, especially in a state that has so many things in common with Edo in terms of sports.
“I’m a sportsman and I have been doing this for years, way back my days in school when I represented the University of Jos at the NUGA Games in football, Table Tennis, Golf, badminton and Tennis. So, it’s part of me and I’m always delighted participating in everything sports.”
“The run is beyond just running for fun, it cuts across running for peace, love and development in our states and I’m glad that great sportsmen and administrators are here to join us, not in running alone, but driving our states forward.”
The astute sports personality however hinted that the Okpepe Race will also come to life this year and it will be a well-organized event.
“The race is back, its date has not changed. After the COVID 2o hiatus, we are glad that Okpepe is back and I can tell you for sure that it’s coming back big in a new dimension. We are putting things in place and we would reel them out to the world in a few days time.”
“We are working on making it a Gold labelled event and in a few years, we want it to climb the Platinum ladder. So, you should be expecting something fantastic coming from the state and the organisers.”
Joining Shaibu was the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister of Youths and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare; members of the Deputy Governor cabinet, General Coordinator of Sports, Mrs Sabina Amiemenoghena Chikere; SSA to the Deputy Governor on Sports, Sixtus Omokhagbor, Honourable Frank Ilaboya and other notable sports personalities, in the country
Meanwhile, Ulfata Teresa of Ethiopia emerged winner of the 7th edition of the Lagos City Marathon and carted home a $ 30,000-star prize after covering the 42km race in 2 hours 11 minutes and 54 seconds. The first runner-up, David Barmasai, finished the 42Km race in 2 hours, 13 minutes and 33 seconds to clinch $20,000 as Emmanuel Naibeib covered the 42 KM marathon in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 37 seconds to place third in the men’s category.
