Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has declared Enugu City International Marathon as an annual event to aimed at harnessing the skills of the youths.

The state governor, who kicked off the 42 kilometre race with a gun sound at exactly 6.30am, emphasized the significance of the event, saying over 100 international athletes from around the world participated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the marathon which began from Mgbemena area of the state passed through Coal Camp Road, Independence Layout, Zik Avenue, Okpara Square, Presidential and NTA Roads, Market Square and Ebe Ano Tunnel Road.

Mbah also participated in the 10 kilometre race which kicked off at exactly 9:30am.

In the male and female categories, Kenyans took the first positions with the prize sum of $15,000 each, first runners up from Ethiopia, were given $10,000 each, 3rd positions smiled home with $5,000 each while other and consolation prizes were given to other athletes.

The governor expressed his profound joy for its success, noting that the race was ran alongside Nigeria’s top distance runners, making it the largest road race ever staged in southeastern Nigeria.

He added that the state hosted the marathon to make Enugu State a sporting hub for global competitions and activities

This, he said, would showcase the richness of the state and its hospitable disposition to the entire world and attracting over 3 million tourists into Enugu.

According to him, making the marathon an annual event will drive tourism, stimulate local businesses, and create lasting economic benefits as Enugu is open for tourism, investment, and world-class sporting events.

The event attracted the likes of former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, an legendary movie actor, Nkem Owo popularly known as Osuofia, among others.

The marathon featured live entertainment, including a performance by popular Nigerian artiste Kcee, transforming the event into a full-scale celebration of sport, music, and entertainment

The Federal Road Corps (FRSC) has appointed Mr Olamide Mogaji, as it’s Sector Commander in Plateau.Mr Peter Longsan, the Public Education Officer of th corps in the state, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Jos.According Longsan, Mogaji replaced Mr Maxwell Lede, who has been posted to Katsina State as sector commander.

“Following the recent redeployment of some senior officers across some commands in the country, Mr Olamide Mogaji is the new sector commander in Plateau“Until his redeployment to Plateau, he was the Zonal Head of Administration in FRSC Zone 8, Kwara. “Mogaji is a seasoned administratorwho worked in various capacities and has held many sensitive positions in the corps,”Longsan said.The public education officer urged Plateau residents to support and cooperate with the new sector commander towards ensuring a safe motoring environment in the state.(NAN)

Air Peace on Saturday said it had no regret cancelling or delaying flights to ensure safety of human lives in adherence to air safety standards.This is contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications at Air Peace, Dr Ejike Ndiulo, in Lagos.While empathising with passengers who experienced inconveniences from its flight cancellations and delays, Air Peace said the disruptions were due to safety considerations.

According to the airline, if weather conditions, technical parameters or operational standards fall short of safety standards, flights will not be operated. “It is not our policy to delay or cancel flights without due cause, and when we do, we are often the greater loser financially.“We will never sacrifice safety for convenience, comfort, speed or profit,” it said. It thanked the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for requesting improvement in its domestic operations.The airline praised the authority’s efforts in ensuring airline operators’ adherence to global safety standards.Air Peace, however, said that it was also important to clarify that it had more aircraft than were being rostered for daily operations.“Therefore, any delays or cancellations we have experienced have absolutely nothing to do with fleet shortage.“For instance, on Friday, one of our aircraft experienced a bird strike, which damaged the engine while landing in Enugu.“The aircraft was immediately grounded and withdrawn from operation in accordance with safety protocol,” it said.Air Peace said that the aircraft was scheduled to service multiple routes, noting that its unavailability had had a ripple effect on flight operations for the routes.“This kind of situation is completely beyond the control of any airline, but again, our priority is the safety of our passengers.“It is to be stated that every decision Air Peace has taken since the inception of this airline, whether resulting in delay, cancellation or suspension of a flight, has been taken in the best interest of safety.“If such situations occur again, we will do the same because we are not ready to compromise safety. We do not cancel any flight for the fun of it.”Report says that the NCAA had on Friday held a meeting with the management of the airline on the number of complaints it received on its flight disruptions. (NAN)