Obudu Mountain Race Champions Appeal for Long-Delayed Cash Prizes

The winners of the previous Obudu International Mountain race, which took place a decade ago in November 2014, have requested Governor Bassey Otu’s assistance in receiving the cash prizes promised by former Governor Liyel Imoke.

Speaking in Calabar, their spokesperson Sylvester Ikpi emphasized that the government is a continuum, indicating that subsequent administrations inherit the obligations of their predecessors.

Commissioner for culture and tourism in Cross River State, Abubakar Ewa, recently announced that Otu’s administration will reinstate the annual Obudu Mountain race. Ewa clarified that prize winners will not be compensated due to lack of documentation.

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However, Sylvester Ikpi, representing the 2014 prize winners, including himself who won the 1st prize of $2000 in the Media Race category, expressed disappointment at this decision.

He urged the current government to honor the commitments made by the previous administration, hoping that the people-centered government of Senator Bassey Otu will address their long-standing issue after a decade of patience and anticipation.