Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe has congratulated veteran coach and former national athlete, Mr. Gabriel Okon, on his victory in the just-concluded South-South Zonal Election into the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
The tightly contested election, held in Benin City, saw Mr. Okon from Akwa Ibom State defeat his opponent, Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo of Delta State, by four votes to two. The outcome cements Okon’s position as the new representative for the South-South zone on the AFN board.
Dr. Oredipe, who had earlier mounted a well-organized campaign, stunned many by withdrawing from the race at the last minute. In a statement issued from Yenagoa, he explained that his decision was made in the spirit of unity and consensus-building among key stakeholders in the region, noting that the future of South-South athletics must take precedence over personal ambition.
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He expressed deep appreciation to the delegates from the six South-South states, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo for their active participation and for electing Mr. Okon to lead the zone at the national level. Dr. Oredipe urged all stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, and sports administrators, to rally around the newly elected official to drive athletic excellence in the region.
Despite stepping aside in the election, Dr. Oredipe reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to grassroots sports development. As the Vice Chairman of the Bayelsa State Athletics Association and founder of the Samkay Athletics Club, he pledged to continue investing in youth talent and infrastructure to boost Bayelsa’s position as a hub for emerging athletes.
The AFN South-South election result has already sparked renewed hope for unity and progress in the athletics community, with stakeholders optimistic that the region can become a breeding ground for national and international athletic champions.
Keywords: AFN South-South Zonal Election
Synonyms: Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, Gabriel Okon, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Itiako Ikpokpo