Diri Urges Bayelsans To Participate In 6th SDD Marathon

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has flagged off activities for the sixth edition of the SDD Marathon, urging residents of the state to actively take part in the race to promote fitness and healthy living.

The 10km (elite runners) and 5km (leisure runners) race will hold on Saturday, February 7, 2026 in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Governor Diri made the call on Thursday during the weekly Prosperity Walk at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex after he was presented the official marathon jersey by one of the organisers, Odonkumo Igbeita, on behalf of the organising committee.

He expressed delight that the weekly fitness exercise had resumed after a brief break due to the Yuletide and the demise of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

He said: “Today, we resume from our weekly Prosperity Walk break. The crowd might not be as we expected, but I believe that as we continue, more people will join from next week.”

The governor, who distributed bags of rice to the participants, commended them for taking part in the special walk in honour of the late deputy governor, noting that their presence made the event “very colourful.”

He restated his directive to council chairmen to observe the walk in their local government areas.

“This will be monitored by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to ensure compliance,” he said.

While presenting the marathon race jersey, Igbeita commended the governor for his commitment to sports development and his personal involvement in fitness initiatives.

He said registered participants would undergo mandatory fitness test and accreditation at the medical department of the sports complex on February 5 and 6 between 9am and 4pm daily.