From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
No fewer than 5,000 runners will on October 1 participate in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Annual National Anti-Corruption half marathon billed to hold in Abuja this year.
The coordinator of the event, Onu Jacob, made the disclosure during the flag-off of the registration of the participants for the fourth edition of the anti-corruption marathon on Thursday in Abuja.
Onuh further disclosed that the prize money for this year’s event is rewarding, announcing that while the star prize winner will smile to the bank with N1 million, the first and second runners-up will get N700,000 and N500,000 each, respectively.
“The distance to be covered is 21.25km which starts from the MKO Abiola National Stadium. There will not be any international athletes participating in this year’s edition. It will involve only home-based runners from every part of the country.
“The prize money for this year’s event is rewarding. The star prize is going for N1 million. The first and second runners-up will get N700,000 and N500,000, respectively. The prize money continues down the line. Most of the participating athletes will be rewarded,” he promised.
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Onu assured that every logistics arrangement has been put in place. He also revealed that the runners will be screened by a medical team to ascertain their fitness level for the marathon race.
“Let me also announce that there will be no financial commitment from the participants because they are not expected to register with any amount before participating. Registration is free,” he said.
Speaking during the flag-off, the Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf, expressed happiness for the commission becoming the chief host of the edition of this year’s race.
“You will agree with me that the youths are usually the most vulnerable instrument used by unscrupulous individuals and groups to perpetrate evil and corrupt acts in society. As the strength and the future of the country, this anti-corruption marathon race avails them the opportunity to redirect their energies to doing something worthwhile and shun corrupt activities.
“The event is jointly organised annually by all the anti-corruption Agencies, Corporate Organisations and well-meaning individuals. I am proud to announce that the Public Complaints Commission will be hosting the fourth edition of the National Anti-Corruption and Youth Summit on anti-corruption come October 1, 2022, as part of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence celebration.
“This year’s edition will be hosted by the commission in collaboration with other anti-corruption agencies, Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Ministry of Youth and Sports among others,” he disclosed in his speech during the flag-off.