Heritage Bank Limited yesterday reiterated its commitment to innovation and economic growth in Nigeria.
This, the bank said, informed its decision to sponsor the third edition of the Okpeke Road Race in Etsako Local Government of Edo State.
According to a statement by the lender, the sponsorship is part of the bank’s corporate social responsibility programmes.
The bank said the 10-kilometre race featured the Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, and top officials of the financial institution.
The statement quoted the Managing Director, Heritage Bank, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, as saying that the lender was proud to be playing a major role in the evolving sporting brand called Okpekpe Road Race, which attracts elite international athletes to Nigeria.
Sekibo, who was represented by the Directorate Head, South, Emeke Anene, said its support for the event was in line with the bid to create a platform to expose Nigerian and African youths to international marathons.
Enterprise Bank Limited, which has been acquired by Heritage Bank Limited, was the official banker of the second edition of the race last year.
Anene joined Oshiomhole to hand over prizes to the winners.
The statement read, “This year’s edition featured 42 foreign marathoners who joined thousands of other Nigerian runners to compete for the coveted prizes.
“The annual international event has in its short existence of three years attained an International Association of Athletics Federations certification as a bronze label event on its calendar, making it the only IAAF race of such in Africa.
“Both female and male winners in the race went home with monetary rewards in the event, which incidentally also attracts the highest total prize money for a 10-kilometer race in the world.
“For both the female and male categories, the first, second and third prize winners received $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
“Aside from these there were many other prizes won by the first eight place finishers from Edo State.”
Top officials of the IAAF, including its Nigerian President, Mr. Solomon Ogba; Chairman, Nigerian Supporters Club, Dr. Rufai Ladipo; and Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the race, Mr. Dan Ngerem, were present at the event.
Others were the race promoter, Mike Itemuagbor and the race coordinator, Mr. Yusuf Alli.
