MTN POLICE MARATHON TODAY IN ABUJA:DAVID MARK, CECILIA iBRU AND OKIRO LEADS RACE AGAINST CRIME..PLUS HOW THREE WINNERS WON BRAND NEW CARS

The MTN Police marathon came to a climax in Abuja , the Federal Capital territory of Nigeria, today (26 July 2008) with influential corporate leaders, including Mrs. Cecilia Ibru, CEO, Oceanic Bank Plc, David Mark, Senate President, joining the police and mass of the people to run against crime in the society.
At the end of the race, a total of three brand new cars, a sum of $22,500 US dollars, Motor Bikes and Black Berry phones among other several prizes were won by different categories of participants cutting across VIP, mass and the elite class runners.
The race started in three different start points in the city. The VIP race is a 1km race, participants in the mass class had 10km to contend with while Elite race was a 21km. The parade ground, Secretariat, FCT formed the mutual finish point for all class of participants.
The 10km mass race was won by the 17 years old Emmanuel Gyang. Emmanuel is an SS 11 student of the of the Government secondary School,Vwang, Jos. He smiled home with the star prize of a brand new KIA Rio.
Also in the mass race category, Elisha Wabi of the Nigerian Police Force came top as the first police man to cross the finishing line. Wabi also became a proud owner of a brand new Geely car while Bunmi Odejobi, a police woman also qualified as the first female police to finish the race. Odejobi also won a Kia Picanto.
In the Elite race category, Steven Jubre, a constable with the Nigeria Army dusted other contestant in a record time to finish first. The indigene of Jos who presently serves in the Kaduna got $10,000 US Dollars for his effort. The 1st runner up place was won by Danjuma Gyang also from Jos. According to the 21 years old second place elite race winner, he is the elder brother of the 17 years old Emmanuel who won the Kia Rio car. Wilson Eku, a Delta State born multiple award winning athlete representing Bauchi State emerged the third place winner in the same category.
Winners of the VIP race include Wing Commander Limman of the Nigerian Airforce and 63 years old Akinyemi Folorunso who was the second runners up in the category.
In the women category of the VIP race, Azubike Uzomma, Chioma Ajunwa and Ramat Thomas were each honoured with an MTN Black Berry machine each.
Other notable participants in the elite category that won prizes include Mrs. Ibru, Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, Hon. Minister of State, Information and Communication, James Tansley, Ag. British High Commissioner and Senate President, Hon. David Mark.
Speaking at the prize presentation event rounding off the event, Mr. Micheal Ikpoki, Sales &Distribution Executive, MTN Nigeria explains that the his company is using MTN People Police Marathon to blossom and build an enduring relationship between the Nigeria Police force and the good people of Nigeria using the unifying power of sport.
“The MTN People Police Marathon is one that we at MTN were exceptionally proud to sponsor. For us we found it very hard to pass up the opportunity to support an initiative aimed at striking a synergy between the police and the general populace of Nigeria .”
Mr. Ikpoki added that MTN as a corporate entity believes the police is perhaps the least understood and the most under appreciated organization in the country.
In this vein, he emphasizes that MTN is extremely proud to demonstrate its share of passion for the police in our dear country Nigeria, promising that MTN is committed to “moving all our customers, including the police ahead and enabling them with all the telecommunications tools the need to GO make a difference in their lives” It is in the light of this that MTN chose t sponsor the MTN People Police Marathon ostensibly to bring police closer to the people and to portray them in more positive light he added.
Speaking in the same light, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro, Inspector General of Police highly impressed by the outcome of the event commended the winners and the participants reemphasizing the essence of the race apart building a response police is to encourage very mutual relationship between the police and the police. “The police is bound to perform better when it works hand in hand with the people” he stated.
Sir Okiro confirms that with the success of this maiden edition, the foundation for an enduring relationship and a unifying event between the people and the police is already laid.
The event is also graced by Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager, Consumer Marketing and
Ikechukwu Kalu, Senior Manager, Regional Marketing both of MTN among other key dignitaries.

Photo 1 – L-R Mr. Mike Ipoki, MTN Executive, Sales and Distribution making a gift presentation from MTN to the Senate President Senator David Mark while Cecilia Ibru, MD, Oceanic Bank looks on at the July 26 MTN People Police Marathon at Eagle Square, Abuja.