The Edo State Government has awarded one-year full academic scholarships to the top three winners of the maiden edition of the Governor Monday Okpebholo and Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd.) Mini-Marathon Against Drug Abuse. The marathon, tagged “Running Against Drug Abuse,” was organised by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in collaboration with the Edo State Drug Control Committee (ESDCC). The event saw participation from over 100 students from four secondary schools in the state.
The participating schools included Edokpolo Grammar School, Ogbe Secondary School, Oba Akenzua Secondary School, and Oba Ewuare Grammar School. Students from Edokpolo Grammar School dominated the competition, with Ojie Victor, Osamende Bright, and Chambaivi Miracle finishing in first, second, and third positions, respectively. The Deputy Governor, Denis Idahosa, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Pius Alile, declared the marathon open and announced that Governor Okpebholo had approved full one-year academic scholarships for the top three winners.
The scholarships are intended to support the students’ education while encouraging them to serve as advocates in the fight against drug abuse. The state NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofuyeju, said the initiative was designed to engage secondary school students in the campaign against drug abuse through sports. The winners would be decorated as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Student Ambassadors and expected to promote the anti-drug campaign in their schools and communities.
The event, which took place over the weekend, was part of efforts to curb drug abuse among young people in the state. The NDLEA and ESDCC collaborated to organise the marathon, which aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and encourage young people to make healthy lifestyle choices. The top three winners were recognised for their outstanding performance and commitment to the cause.
Ojie Victor, the first-place winner, expressed gratitude to the Edo State Government and the organisers of the marathon for the scholarship award. He pledged to use his platform as a WADA Student Ambassador to promote the anti-drug campaign in his school and community. The other winners also expressed their appreciation for the award and promised to work hard to achieve their academic goals.
The Edo State Government has been commended for its efforts to support education and promote healthy lifestyles among young people. The scholarship award is seen as a way to encourage students to excel academically while making a positive impact in their communities. The state government has reiterated its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote the well-being and development of young people.
The mini-marathon against drug abuse is part of a broader strategy to engage young people in the fight against drug abuse. The NDLEA and ESDCC plan to organise more events like this in the future to raise awareness and promote healthy lifestyles among young people. The top three winners will serve as role models and ambassadors for the anti-drug campaign in their schools and communities.
Key points
- The Edo State Government has awarded one-year full academic scholarships to the top three winners of the mini-marathon against drug abuse.
- The winners will serve as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) Student Ambassadors and promote the anti-drug campaign in their schools and communities.
- The initiative aims to engage secondary school students in the campaign against drug abuse through sports and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.
