‎From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa

‎The Obanobhan III of Ogbia Kingdom, His Eminence, King Dumaro Charles-Owaba, has endorsed the proposed Oloibiri Well International Half Marathon and Expo, describing it as a timely initiative that will preserve the rich history of Oloibiri while opening new opportunities for tourism, youth empowerment, and economic growth in the Niger Delta.
‎The monarch gave his endorsement when members of the event’s Executive Committee paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

‎Speaking during the visit, the Project Coordinator and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Eyinimi Omorozi, said the event is more than a sporting competition.
‎According to him, it is a deliberate effort to reposition Oloibiri—the birthplace of Nigeria’s oil industry—as a global destination for sports, heritage and petro-tourism.

‎He explained that participants and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the historic Oloibiri Oil Well No. 1, the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC), as well as Otuabagi community, where crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria in 1956.

‎Omorozi noted that the marathon will be complemented by cultural exhibitions, business expos, arts and crafts displays, and an oil and gas photo exhibition aimed at celebrating the region’s rich history while promoting investment and local enterprise.
‎He said the initiative would create opportunities for indigenous businesses, attract tourists and investors, and stimulate economic activities within Ogbia Kingdom and the wider Niger Delta.

‎”Our vision is to transform Oloibiri into an internationally recognised sports and petro-tourism destination that attracts visitors from across the world while celebrating the region’s unique contribution to Nigeria’s economic history,” he said.
‎In his response, King Charles-Owaba praised the organisers for conceiving a project that not only honours the legacy of Oloibiri but also provides a pathway for sustainable community development.

‎The monarch said the initiative aligns with the kingdom’s aspirations for youth development, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation. He assured the organisers of the full support of the Ogbia traditional institution and urged communities across the kingdom to embrace the project as a collective opportunity to showcase their heritage on the global stage.

‎The organising committee also appealed to strategic institutions, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), the Bayelsa State Government, corporate organisations and other development partners, to support the initiative through funding, technical expertise and logistics.

‎According to the committee, such partnerships will be critical to delivering a world-class event capable of positioning Oloibiri as a lasting centre for sports tourism, heritage conservation and investment.

‎The Oloibiri Well International Half Marathon and Expo is scheduled to hold in the first quarter of 2027 as part of activities marking 71 years since crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria. Organisers hope the event will become an annual international festival that celebrates sports, culture, history and the enduring legacy of Oloibiri while projecting Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta to the world.