The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has urged the Sapele Local Government Council to sustain its annual marathon and endurance walk, describing regular exercise as essential to healthy living and community development.
Dafinone made the call while participating in the second edition of the Sapele Marathon and Endurance Walk, tagged “A Walk for Sheriff” and “A Walk for Bright Abeke.”
The senator led participants in the endurance walk, which commenced at the Sapele Stadium and ended at the Sapele Local Government Secretariat.
He congratulated the council chairman, Hon. Bright Abeke, for sustaining the initiative and urged residents to make physical exercise part of their daily and weekly routines rather than restricting it to an annual event.
> “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, “This second edition, I pray it should continue on an annual basis, and more people will be encouraged to embrace the life of exercise.”
The event attracted more than 70 runners from different parts of the country, alongside residents, political leaders and other dignitaries.
The marathon began from Eko-Amukpe, while the endurance walk officially commenced at the Sapele Stadium, with both activities terminating at the council secretariat after passing through major parts of the town.
The council chairman, Abeke, participated in the exercise.
Also speaking, the Clerk of the House and former Delta State PDP Chairman, Barrister Kingsley Esiso, stressed the importance of regular physical activity, saying everyone should take responsibility for maintaining good health.
Esiso, however, acknowledged the political dimension of the gathering, saying participants also used the occasion to sensitise residents on supporting the All Progressives Congress.
“We are politicians. What we did today is to sensitise people on the need to vote the party, and the need to support APC,” he said.
Chief Benson Okorodudu said the exercise brought together people from different backgrounds and demonstrated the capacity of Sapele to host peaceful large-scale events.
According to him, the exercise offered participants benefits beyond financial incentives, including improved physical fitness and social interaction.
“What they have done now is more than giving people money,” Okorodudu said.
He added that the peaceful conduct of the event was significant for Sapele, arguing that it could reassure prospective investors about the security and stability of the town.
“There was no sign of crisis. It was to show that there is peace in Sapele and investors can come to Sapele,” he said.
