BEVERLY HILLS, December 03, (THEWILL) – Mr Jacob Onu, National Coordinator of the National Anti-Corruption Marathon Race, says plans have been concluded for the flagging off of the 2019 edition of the race by President Muhammadu Buhari on Dec. 9 in Abuja.
Onu told newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday that over 4,000 participants would feature in this year’s event.
He said the race which would hold simultaneously with the United Nations (UN) International Anti-Corruption Day was designed to create awareness on Buhari’s fight against corruption.
He also said that a national youth and student summit on anti-corruption and drug abuse would be organised the same day at Nile University in Abuja, where prominent Nigerians would deliver papers.
“The fight against corruption is not a one off battle, rather a continuous one that requires perseverance and endurance; this is the reason behind the initiative.
“The marathon race is symbolic in that without perseverance and endurance one can’t start and finish a marathon race. This initiative happens to be the first globally.
“Just as President Buhari was vocal when he said that ‘if we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us’, ours is to create more and more awareness on the dangers of of corruption to the existence of our citizens, especially the youth.
“It is our desire that it is sustained over time and improved on in subsequent editions. It is also expected to be a platform to encourage and empower participating athletes,” Onu said.
According to him, machinery has been set in motion to ensure that the forthcoming marathon meets the standard required for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) now World Athlics to recognise and subsequently add the marathon to its calendar.
“We intend to make it an international marathon from the next edition,” he added.
