The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, made a powerful statement of commitment on Saturday morning as both top sports administrators arrived well ahead of schedule at the finishing zone of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon.
Their unusually early arrival at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola National Stadium set the tone for what would become a landmark edition of the race—freshly decorated with a World Athletics Bronze Label, one of the fastest recognitions ever achieved by any road race in Nigeria.
Read Also: Armwrestling Federation President Samuel Olatunji Jackson Heaps Praises On Dikko, Olopade
Observers noted that Dikko and Olopade took time to inspect the finishing facilities, interact with technical officials, and ensure that every operational detail aligned with global standards.
Their presence before sunrise drew praise from athletes, volunteers, and organisers, who described the gesture as “a clear sign of genuine leadership and hands-on commitment to sports development.”
According to organisers, the early arrival of the NSC leadership marked a symbolic moment, reflecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed prioritisation of sports under the National Sports Commission framework.
Nilayo Sports Management CEO, Yetunde Olopade, whose company organises the event, said the unprecedented support is one of the key reasons the race soared to international recognition in such a short time.
“We have leadership that shows up, supports us, and pushes excellence. Their presence here at dawn says everything,” she remarked.
Technical Director and three-time Olympian Yusuf Alli added that the backing of the NSC has elevated the race’s credibility and helped attract over 30 elite athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Nigeria.
As the race flagged off at exactly 6:30 a.m. from Muhammed Buhari Way, the atmosphere in Abuja was electric—fueled in no small part by the symbolic, early-morning endorsement of Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade.
, Mallam Shehu Dikko, and the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, made a powerfull){kind=link}