Three students of Edopkolor Grammar School have won full one-year academic scholarships at the maiden edition of the Okpebholo-Marwa Mini Marathon Against Drug Abuse held in Benin City.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, in collaboration with the Edo State Drug Control Committee (ESDCC), organised the marathon.
Edo also became the first state in Nigeria to host the event organised for secondary school students in the fight against drug abuse.
Over 100 students drawn from four public schools — Edopkolor Grammar School, Ogbe Secondary School, Oba Akenzua Secondary School and Oba Ewuare Grammar School — participated in the race that kicked off at Victor Uwaifo’s Creative Hub, Airport Road, through King Square, and terminated at Victor Uwaifo’s Creative Hub.
The race, tagged Running Against Drug Abuse, was declared open by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Pius Alile.
In his welcome address, the Commander of the NDLEA Edo State Command, Mitchell Ofoyeju, described the event as historic and said Edo State was leading in the campaign to address the drug problem.
“We are running because drug abuse is destroying our children, the youth and even elders. It destroys the brain, the body, and the dreams of our young people,” he said. “The fight against drugs is not limited to arrest and enforcement alone but a balanced approach that engages our youths positively through sports, education, and empowerment programmes. A healthy body is a drug-free body.”
On why the marathon was introduced, the commander said that the agency decided to do something novel that would resonate with the students.
“This marathon also serves as a platform to recreate, engage in physical fitness exercise and a talent hunt for grassroots sports development, through which great athletes and Olympic champions could be identified while inculcating in students the values of a drug-free lifestyle,” Ofoyeju added.
The first, second, and third positions were won by students of Edopkolor Grammar School.
Ojie Victor, in Senior Secondary III, took the first position; Osamende Bright in Senior Secondary II came second, while Chambaivi Miracle, also in Senior Secondary II, took third place.
The first prize winner will also enjoy free registration for the Senior Secondary School Certificate examination.
Announcing the reward, the deputy governor, through the deputy chief of staff, said the governor had approved full one-year academic scholarships for the winners.
Alile also advised that the programme be more inclusive, incorporating elders, adults and not restricted to students alone.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Drug Policy, Andrew Efe, commended the initiative and said the students should remain worthy ambassadors beyond the marathon, assuring that the marathon would be sustained as an annual event aimed at deepening awareness and discouraging drug abuse among youths.
The commander added that in “his magnanimity and commitment to education, the first, second and third place winners would be placed on a one-year full academic scholarship.
“In addition, the winners will be formally decorated as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) student ambassadors for Edo State, carrying the anti-drug message to their schools, communities, and on social media.”
Addressing the student-athletes, Ofoyeju said, “To all our students who are running today, you are all winners. Whether you come first or last, you have made an unequivocal statement. You have chosen life over drugs, you have chosen books over methamphetamine, and you have chosen sports over tramadol and ‘Colos’. I am proud of you.”
He commended the Executive Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, and the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) for their “uncommon passion for youth development, peaceful and drug-free society”.
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