One of the candidates in the just concluded South South Zonal Election into the board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, has congratulated Mr. Gabriel Okon, for his victory.
Mr. Okon, an ex-Nigerian athlete and veteran athletics coach, from Akwa Ibom, defeated Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo of Delta State with 4 votes against 2 votes.
In a congratulatory message issued in Yenagoa, Dr. Oredipe, who withdrew from the race in the last minute in Benin City after a well structured campaigns, said his decision was part of the move to build consensus in the South-South zone among key stakeholders.
He appreciated delegates from the six states of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo for electing Mr. Okon to represent the Zone and urged all stakeholders to support the newly elected officer in the growth of athletics in the region.
Dr. Oredipe, who is the Vice-Chairman of Bayelsa State Athletics Association and founder of Samkay Athletics Club, said the loss occasioned by his withdrawal would not hamper his continued investments in athletics in the state.
