Get Guardian on GoogleIn a moment rich with symbolism and pride, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will on Saturday be formally invested as the Race Ambassador for the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Okpekpe International 10km Road Race.
The investiture dinner comes only hours after the 11th edition of the race sets off at 8:30am in Okpekpe, Edo North.
While the announcement of his ambassadorial role was made weeks ago, Saturday’s ceremony is the crowning honour, a celebration of a man whose vision and leadership made the race possible.
As Governor of Edo State, Oshiomhole constructed the roads linking Okpekpe and its neighbouring communities to Auchi. That act of development transformed the once‑remote terrain into a global athletics hub, enabling Nigeria to host its first World Athletics Label 10km road race in 2015.
Over the years, Oshiomhole has not only facilitated the race but also embodied its spirit.
He has participated as Governor, as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and now as Senator representing Edo North.
His presence has consistently underscored the race’s blend of sport, community, and culture.
Being invested as an Okpekpe Race Ambassador is a tribute to his enduring role as a bridge between athletics and development, a recognition of his commitment to endurance, unity, and progress.
For a road race that has become a beacon of excellence in African athletics, honouring the man who laid its foundation is both fitting and inspiring.
Saturday’s investiture dinner will not only celebrate Oshiomhole’s journey but also reaffirm the Okpekpe race’s place as a jewel of Nigerian sport, a gathering where community pride meets global recognition.
