Premium Trust Bank Abuja City Half Marathon Has Come To Stay, Says CEO Emefienim

With the first edition coming up on Saturday, 20 April 2024, the Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon will soon become a global destination for distance runners across the world.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, believes in this dream and vowed that he and his management team would leave nothing to chance to ensure that this dream come true sooner than expected.

He reiterated his bank unalloyed commitment to successful hosting of the first edition with Nilayo Sports Management marathon, as Premium Trust Bank will continue to give its support on its hosting on yearly basis.

Emefienim, a sports enthusiast, said that the sponsorship of the half marathon race by Premium Trust Bank is not by accident, adding that “we are not taking up this sponsorship as a ‘sprint’ event that will only last within a 100m space, but we are doing this as a ‘marathon’ that will see us and the organisers taking the championship to an enduring and enviable height.

“The Premium Trust Bank Abuja International Half Marathon is our commitment with Nilayo Sports because we are a bank which prides itself on improving life and impacting the communities in order to give our people sense of belonging.

“The organisation of the half marathon race is a platform for us to foster community spirit, to engage the youth in a competitive sense and encourage our youth to take sports and earn a living.

“From the first edition which holds on 20 April 2024, we hope to see the half marathon growing to become a destination for marathon runners across the world. We believe in what Nilayo Sports is doing and we are glad to be a partner to bring this into the country,” Emefienim said at a press conference held at the Corporate Head Office of Premium Trust Bank on Victoria Island, Lagos, southwest Nigeria Monday evening.

The CEO of Nilayo Sports Management, Bukola Olopade said the bank has been known to be a major contributor of empowerment for the youth across Africa through sports, adding that the enthusiasm officials of World Athletics have for a half marathon taking place in Nigerian capital city, Abuja prompted them to plan to send a high-power delegation to monitor proceeding of the event with a view of giving a label status in its second edition.

Yusuf Alli, Technical Director of the race who is also the Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, said that all hands will be on deck to ensure that all technical details that will facilitate the approval of the race being upgraded to a label race are put on ground.

“This will be a rare opportunity for a race to be approved to a label race in one edition. We will want to miss this chance and works are ongoing to have details and facilities’ put in place. I want to say that Premium Trust Bank is doing a great job with all supports.,” Alli said.

Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon will soon be a global destination for distance runners, says CEO Emefienim

With its first edition on Saturday, April 20, 2024, Premium Trust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon is soon to become a global destination for distance runners around the world.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Premium Trust Bank, Mr Emmanuel Efe Emefienim, believes in this dream and promises that he and his management team will leave nothing to chance to ensure that this dream comes true sooner than expected.

He reiterated his bank’s full commitment to the successful organization of the first edition of the marathon with Nilayo Sports Management, as Platinum Trust Bank will continue to support the organization on an annual basis.

Emefienim, a sports enthusiast, explained that Premium Trust Bank’s sponsorship of the half marathon race was not a coincidence, adding: “We do not consider that this sponsorship is a ‘sprint’ event that only over a distance of 100 meters.”, but we are doing it as a “marathon” that will help us and the organizers take the championship to a lasting and enviable height.

“The Premium Trust Bank Abuja International Half Marathon is our commitment to Nilayo Sports because we are a bank that prides itself on improving lives and impacting communities to give our people a sense of belonging.

“Organizing the half marathon is a platform for us to promote community spirit, get young people excited about the competition and encourage them to play sports and earn a living.

“From the first edition on April 20, 2024, we hope that the half marathon will become a destination for marathon runners around the world. We believe in what Nilayo Sports is doing and are happy to be partners in bringing this to the country,” Emefienim said at a press conference at the Premium Trust Bank headquarters on Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday.

Bukola Olopade, CEO of Nilayo Sports Management said the bank is known for making an important contribution to empowering youth across Africa through sports, adding that the enthusiasm of World Athletics officials for the half marathon, which will be held in the Nigerian capital Abuja, prompted them to plan to send a high-profile delegation to monitor the development of the event to give it bronze label status for its second edition.

Yusuf Alli, the technical director of the race who doubles as chairman of the  Edo State Sports Commission, said everyone will be available to ensure that all technical details are taken to facilitate the approval of the race to a label race.

“This will be a unique opportunity for the race to be upgraded to a label status after one edition. I would like to say that Premium Trust Bank is doing a great job with all the support,” Ali said.

“We have invited elite runners from all over the world to take part in this first edition to elevate the status of the race and I am sure that all things being equal, we will get a bronze label for the Premium Trust Bank Abuja in its second edition. It will be a record,” Ali said.