Thousands of youths from Warri and Effurun, Delta State, Thursday took to the streets in a five-kilometre road race to celebrate Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary and mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
The event, tagged “Run and Rave,” attracted youths from across the Warri metropolis, with participants combining fitness, entertainment and civic engagement as they moved through major roads linking Effurun and Warri.
The race began at the newly constructed PTI Flyover in Effurun and passed through Effurun Roundabout, Jakpa Junction and Airport Junction before ending at Delta Career.
The participants, many of them dressed in colourful sportswear, also displayed placards and other materials expressing support for the Tinubu and Oborevwori administrations.
The organisers said the event was conceived as a platform for youths to celebrate the country’s independence, promote healthy living and strengthen interaction among young people, while providing an avenue for them to express their views on governance.
Speaking at the event, Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Political Affairs, Dr Maurice Ojo-Ede, said the massive turnout showed the growing interest of youths in political and developmental issues.
Ojo-Ede said the exercise was organised to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary and demonstrate the participants’ support for Tinubu and Oborevwori.
He said the turnout also indicated that youths in Warri and its environs were prepared to participate actively in the political process, including the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, National Leader and Patron of Soft Nigeria, Collins Oghenerouna, said the initiative was designed to unite youths and encourage them to celebrate Nigeria in a peaceful and convivial atmosphere.
According to him, the event was more than a fitness exercise, as it created an opportunity for young people to interact, network and discuss issues affecting the country.
National Leader of Soft Nigeria, Sylvester Oghenetega, said the participants were gathered as patriotic Nigerians to celebrate the nation and express their confidence in the leadership of Tinubu and Oborevwori.
Some participants also voiced support for policies and programmes of the Federal Government and the Delta State Government, saying youths should play a more active role in determining the political direction of the country.
They said their mobilisation would continue ahead of the 2027 general elections, with some declaring their intention to campaign for the re-election of Tinubu and Oborevwori.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on March 6, 2027.
The organisers said the initiative was not limited to electioneering, stressing that youths must remain engaged in civic activities, community development and peaceful participation beyond election periods.
The event ended with participants describing the race as a combination of recreation, youth mobilisation and civic engagement.
The organisers said the large turnout demonstrated the willingness of youths in Warri and Effurun to participate in activities that promote community interaction and national development.
