Three students of Edokpolor Grammar School, Benin City, have received full one-year academic scholarships after finishing first, second and third at the maiden Okpebholo-Marwa Mini Marathon Against Drug Abuse held in Edo State on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The event, organised by the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in partnership with the Edo State Drug Control Committee (ESDCC), brought together more than 100 students from four public secondary schools in Benin City.
The initiative used competitive sport and educational incentives to strengthen the campaign against drug abuse among young people. The three leading runners were also inducted as War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) student ambassadors for Edo State.
The race, tagged “Running Against Drug Abuse,” began at Victor Uwaifo’s Creative Hub on Airport Road, passed through King Square and returned to the creative hub.
Students from the following schools participated:
- Edokpolor Grammar School
- Ogbe Secondary School
- Oba Akenzua Secondary School
- Oba Ewuare Grammar School
According to the organisers, Edo State became the first state in Nigeria to host this type of mini-marathon specifically for secondary school students as part of an anti-drug campaign. NDLEA Edo Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju described the programme as an effort to expand drug prevention beyond conventional enforcement activities.
The event was flagged off on behalf of Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Pius Alile.
The organisers said the combination of sport, education and youth engagement was intended to provide students with constructive activities while promoting awareness about the risks associated with substance abuse.
Edokpolor Grammar School produced all three podium finishers.
The results were:
- First: Ojie Victor, Senior Secondary III
- Second: Osamende Bright, Senior Secondary II
- Third: Chambaivi Miracle, Senior Secondary II
Beyond the one-year full academic scholarships approved for the three students, Ojie Victor, who emerged first, will receive free registration for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.
The scholarship awards were announced through Alile, who represented the deputy governor at the event.
The winners’ designation as WADA student ambassadors adds a community-awareness component to the rewards. They are expected to promote anti-drug messages in their schools, communities and through social media.
Ofoyeju said the marathon was designed to demonstrate that drug prevention can involve more than arrests and prosecution.
The NDLEA Edo Command said sports can provide young people with positive outlets while also creating opportunities to identify athletic talent at grassroots level.
The agency’s approach at the event focused on three broad areas:
- Prevention: educating students about drug abuse and its consequences.
- Positive engagement: using physical activity to provide constructive alternatives.
- Youth empowerment: combining education, sports and recognition to encourage productive choices.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Drug Policy, Andrew Efe, also urged the participants to continue promoting the anti-drug campaign after the event.
The organisers said the marathon is expected to become an annual programme aimed at expanding drug-abuse awareness among young people.
Efe said the event could serve multiple purposes, including physical fitness, youth engagement and grassroots talent identification.
Alile also called for the initiative to become more inclusive, suggesting that future editions could involve adults and older residents rather than remain limited to secondary school students.
The first edition therefore combines an anti-drug awareness campaign with education incentives and sports development. Its longer-term impact will depend on whether organisers can maintain the programme, expand participation and sustain engagement with students beyond the annual race.
For now, the scholarships and WADA ambassador appointments give the three Edokpolor students a direct educational benefit while placing them at the centre of Edo’s youth-focused anti-drug campaign.
