The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, has called on the Sapele Local Government Council to sustain its annual marathon and endurance walk, stressing the importance of regular physical exercise in promoting healthy living and community development.
Dafinone made the call while participating in the second edition of the Sapele Marathon and Endurance Walk, organised under the themes “A Walk for Sheriff” and “A Walk for Bright Abeke.”
The senator led participants during the endurance walk, which commenced at the Sapele Stadium, and expressed the hope that the initiative would continue as an annual event while encouraging residents to make physical exercise part of their regular lifestyle.
Dafinone congratulated the Sapele Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bright Abeke, for organising the second edition of the exercise, describing the initiative as symbolic of the importance of good health.
He said the benefits of the programme would be greater if residents moved beyond participating in an annual event and incorporated physical activity into their weekly and daily routines.
“I want to congratulate the council chairman for this second edition of Walk for Life. It is symbolic for good health,” Dafinone said.
He added that the continuation of the exercise could encourage more residents to embrace regular physical activity and promote healthier lifestyles across the community.
The marathon attracted more than 70 runners from different parts of the country, while residents, political leaders and other dignitaries participated in the endurance walk.
The activities commenced at Eko-Amukpe, while the Walk for Life officially began at the Sapele Stadium. Both activities culminated at the Sapele Local Government Secretariat, after participants passed through major areas of Sapele.
The Sapele Local Government Chairman, Hon. Bright Abeke, participated in the exercise alongside other dignitaries and residents.
Also speaking at the event, the Clerk of the Delta State House of Assembly, Barr. Kingsley Esiso, commended the participation of residents and underscored the importance of regular physical activity to maintaining good health.
According to Esiso, individuals have a responsibility to take care of their health, while commending the Sapele Local Government administration for using the exercise to promote physical wellbeing.
He also acknowledged the political dimension of the gathering, noting that participants used the occasion to sensitise residents on political issues and support for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We are politicians. What we did today is to sensitise people on the need to vote the party, and the need to support APC,” Esiso stated.
Another participant, Chief Benson Okorodudu, described the exercise as an avenue that brought people from different backgrounds together, including Christians and non-Christians as well as indigenes and non-indigenes.
Okorodudu noted that beyond any material benefits associated with the event, participants also gained health and social benefits through physical activity.
“What they have done now is more than giving people money,” he said, noting that participants had the opportunity to exercise and burn calories.
He further commended the peaceful atmosphere throughout the event, saying the successful gathering demonstrated Sapele's capacity to host large-scale activities without disruption.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the marathon and endurance walk could also help reinforce confidence in Sapele as an environment capable of attracting businesses and investors.
“There was no sign of crisis. It was to show that there is peace in Sapele and investors can come to Sapele,” Okorodudu said.
The event combined physical fitness, community participation and political engagement, with participants using the occasion to promote healthy living while highlighting issues of interest to residents of Sapele and the wider community.
