Omoyele Sowore, a previous contender for president, challenged President Bola Tinubu to compete in the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon as soon as he picked up his running outfit on Tuesday in Abuja.
Sowore thanked ECOWAS for the marathon project, calling it “the best thing anyone can do” by embracing fitness and the running culture, after picking up his equipment and bib.
He continued by saying that he was a “better person” and that his health had dramatically improved since he started running.
However, while praising ECOWAS for taking a step in the right direction, Sowore noted that President Tinubu, the Chairman of ECOWAS, hadn’t yet indicated his participation in either the half marathon or the 5km fun race. “As of now, there’s no sign of his (Tinubu) bib or participation. We can’t have the ECOWAS marathon in Nigeria without the chairman of the sub-regional body participating.”
Read Also:
He urged the President to join him and thousands of other runners at the starting line, setting an inspiring example for the entire nation.
Experienced runner Sowore, who has competed in marathons all around the world, including the New York Marathon, says that the best way for leaders to set an example is to “walk the talk.”
He maintained that if President Tinubu aggressively promoted running and took part in the ECOWAS marathon, many Nigerians would be motivated to do the same, improving national health and maybe saving the government money on healthcare.
The running kits, number bibs, and goodie bags will be distributed to all registered and intended participants at Eagle Square, according to the organizers’ directive.
The 5km fun race will begin at Bannex Plaza at 7.30am on Saturday, and both events will culminate at Eagles Square. The half-marathon will start at 7:00am in front of the ECOWAS Secretariat.
