Sports

Former Bayelsa State Commissioner of Sports Opukiri Jones-Ere blast Omoyele Sowore for unruly behaviour at 10th Anniversary of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2025

….As fans and global watchers hail organisers for a World class Race

Former Commissioner of Sports in Bayelsa state Opukiri Jones-Ere has expressed total disbelief in the gesture-of-disgrace displayed by Political Activist Omoyele Sowore at the 10th Edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.

Sowore almost created a scene at the event when he defied and broke protocol when he decided to sit on the VIP area reserved for the Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and the Chairman and the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade.

Sowore who participated in the race went to sit on the Governor’s table alongside his entourage when the Governor and other top officials left to present medals to the winners at the Podium.

Drama almost ensued when Sowore insisted that he would not leave the Governor’s seat and even boasted that nobody could tell him to do so.

It however took the meticulous and leadership intervention of the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bukola Olopade before security officials eased him out.

Meanwhile the Former Bayelsa State Commissioner of Sports in Bayelsa State, Opukiri Jones-Ere, who witnessed the event said he has lost huge respect for Sowore , a man he says he used to respect.

“It’s such an unfortunate event and if I was told about it I will not believe it but sitting in the VIP session in company of the Chairman National Sports Commission and the Director General, I saw first hand what happened and it’s very pathetic

” It is sad that a man of his calibre will behave so low to occupy the seat reserved for the Governor and the Governor just moved to the podium to present medals and he took over the seat forcefully” .

” And when the DG of the NSC approached him as a friend , he asked the DG if he was not a big man. Everywhere in the world we have VIP and we respect our leaders but today Sowore behaviour was very petty and disgraceful “.

” Unfortunately I used to hold him in high reputation but with what I saw today I am more than disappointed in him and what he stands for”.

” I am very happy that despite the little distraction from Sowore, it did not stop the quality and successful organisation of the race which many have described as a World class Sporting showpiece”.

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Sports

Igoche Mark Announces Burial of Beloved Mother, 82

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Renowned basketball promoter and initiator of the Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship, Mr. Igoche Mark, will on Friday, November 27, 2026, lay his mother, Mrs. Veronica Oyiba Mark, to rest in Otukpo, Benue State.

Mrs. Mark, fondly known as _En’Igoche_, died at the age of 82. She was born in 1944.

According to the burial arrangements released by the family, the funeral rites will begin on Wednesday, November 25, with a service of songs at her residence, No. 4 Enugu Road, Eupi, Otukpo, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

On Thursday, November 26, a commemoration service will hold at St. Francis Catholic Cathedral, Otukpo, between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. This will be followed by an all-night wake-keep at Pa Obodumu Ooche Compound, Asa 2, from 8:00 p.m.

The funeral proper will take place on Friday, November 27. A requiem Mass is scheduled for 12 noon at St. Francis Catholic Cathedral, Otukpo.
Interment will follow immediately at the family Compound.

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