Ahonsi Unuigbe, CEO of Petralon Energy Limited, says his company’s support for the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race is a fulfilment of his personal vow.
Petralon Energy Limited is the first CSR partner for the race since it became the first road running event in Nigeria to be granted a label status by World Athletics.
Ahonsi said they are delighted to be part of the race, which has attained a gold label status for the ninth edition holding this Saturday in Okpekpe.
“Petralon’s sponsorship of the Okpekpe race started in my head about 10 years ago when the administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole partnered with Mike Itemuagbor and his company, Padmozi, to start the Okpekpe 10km road race that has made Okpekpe, Edo State and Nigeria a destination of sorts for sports.
“I was a Commissioner then in the administration of Comrade Oshiomhole and I said to myself, ‘there are admirable people like Itemuagbor who want to sacrifice their time and money for the good of their people.’
“Through the Okpekpe race he has certainly changed whatever negative narrative about Nigeria out there. I said to myself at the time that if I find myself in a position to help, I will definitely do it and thank God I am able to do it now as the official CSR partner,” Unuigbe said.
The Petralon CEO added that there would be a pre-Okpekpe race trial for intending runners of the Ora communities, where 100 of them will be sponsored to the main Okpekpe race.
“The race will hold in four of the Ora communities and there will be prizes for the top three athletes from the Ora communities. If others can also be impacting their communities like Itemuagbor has done and I am about to do, we can also produce many more talented athletes.”
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