By Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
The Obanobhan III of Ogbia Kingdom, His Eminence, King Dumaro Charles-Owaba, has thrown his weight behind the proposed Oloibiri Well International Half Marathon & Expo, describing the initiative as a bold step towards preserving history, promoting tourism and unlocking new economic opportunities for the people of the Niger Delta.
The royal endorsement came during a strategic courtesy visit by the event’s Executive Committee to the monarch’s palace in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Speaking during the visit, the Project Coordinator and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Eyinimi Omorozi, said the international sporting and cultural event is designed to reposition Oloibiri, the birthplace of Nigeria’s oil industry, as a globally recognised destination for sports, heritage and petro-tourism.
Omorozi explained that the marathon and expo will showcase the historic Oloibiri Oil Well No. 1, the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre (OMRC) and the Otuabagi community, where crude oil was first discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria in 1956.
According to him, beyond athletics, the event will serve as a platform for cultural exchange, youth development, business promotion and tourism.
“The Oloibiri Well International Half Marathon & Expo celebrates the region’s economic legacy while promoting youth empowerment, healthy living and peaceful coexistence. It combines world-class athletics with arts and crafts exhibitions, business expos and a carefully curated oil and gas photo exhibition to create a unique cultural and economic festival,” he said.
He added that the initiative would provide visibility for indigenous entrepreneurs and creatives, attract investors and tourists, and stimulate economic activities across host communities.
“Our vision is to transform the Oloibiri Oil Well and the Oloibiri Museum and Research Centre into an internationally recognised sports and petro-tourism destination that will attract visitors from across the world,” Omorozi stated.
Responding, King Charles-Owaba commended the organisers for conceptualising a project that honours the historical significance of Oloibiri while opening new economic frontiers for the people.
The revered monarch noted that the initiative aligns with the kingdom’s development aspirations, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and cultural preservation.
He pledged the support of the Ogbia traditional institution towards the successful hosting of the event and urged communities within the kingdom to embrace it as a collective opportunity to showcase their rich heritage to the world.
The organising committee also appealed to key development institutions and government agencies to partner with them in delivering a world-class event. They specifically called on 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 stakeholders to provide financial, technical and logistical support.
According to the committee, such partnerships will not only ensure the successful hosting of the marathon but also help establish Oloibiri as a sustainable destination for sports tourism, heritage conservation and investment in the Niger Delta.
The royal endorsement is expected to further boost confidence in the project, adding to the growing support from public and private sector stakeholders. Organisers believe the backing of the Ogbia monarch will galvanise grassroots participation, strengthen collaboration among host communities and enhance the international profile of the event.
The Oloibiri Well International Half Marathon & Expo is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027 to commemorate 71 years since the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantity in Nigeria. The organisers hope the event will evolve into an annual international festival celebrating sports, culture, history and economic development while showcasing Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta to a global audience.
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