The 2026 Opobo Marathon is set to deliver more than athletic competition, thanks to a significant partnership with the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). The institute has announced its collaboration with the event organisers, adding a major community health component to the race scheduled for January 3, 2026, in Opobo Town, Rivers State.
Marathon Transforms into Health Movement
As a core part of this new alliance, IHVN will sponsor a comprehensive free medical outreach programme in Opobo during the marathon festivities. This initiative is designed to provide essential health services not only to the participating athletes but also to local residents and visitors attending the event. The move underscores IHVN's dedicated mission to advance preventive healthcare and improve overall community well-being across Nigeria.
Leadership Hails Strategic Partnership
During a recent visit to IHVN's headquarters in Abuja, the Founder and Team Lead of the Opobo Marathon, Henry Iyowuna Cookey, expressed profound gratitude for the institute's support. He stated that the partnership represents a pivotal step in merging health advocacy with sporting platforms.
"Opobo Marathon has always been more than a race; it is a movement championing unity, wellness, and development," Mr. Cookey remarked. "The involvement of IHVN guarantees that the 2026 edition will create an even deeper legacy by delivering direct, tangible healthcare benefits to the people of Opobo."
Philosophy of Community-Centred Health
In his response, the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of IHVN, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah, praised the visionary spirit behind the marathon. He emphasised that the collaboration is a perfect reflection of IHVN's core philosophy, which advocates for taking healthcare beyond hospital confines and directly into communities.
"At IHVN, we firmly believe that promoting health must extend into the very heart of where people live and gather," Dr. Olalekan noted. "Our partnership with the Opobo Marathon embodies this belief—it synergises physical fitness, public awareness, and direct medical services to fortify the foundations of healthy living. Rivers State, and the Opobo Kingdom specifically, offers a unique opportunity for us to amplify our impact in advancing public health goals."
This collaboration between IHVN and the Opobo Marathon organisers marks a transformative model for sporting events in Nigeria, positioning them as catalysts for holistic community development and public health engagement.
