An octogenerian, Anna Ode, winner of Miss Nigeria contest in 1965, will formerly be honoured by her community, Uhonmora, in Owan West Local Government area of Edo, sixty years after being crowned.
This was disclosed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Chris Ojo, the organiser of the 10km annual Owan marathon race in Calabar on Sunday.
Ojo said that the former beauty queen would be formerly recognised during the 5th edition of the annual race scheduled for January 3, 2026.
He said that Ode, who became Miss Nigeria at 22, the same year she won the Miss Midwestern contest, would also unveil the maiden edition of
Mr and Miss Owan contest.
According to Ojo, the decision to give recognition to the former beauty Queen is borne out of the desire to celebrate her while she is still alive.
He added that Ode has devoted her life to assisting the needy, especially the widows within her immediate community and beyond.
Ojo said that this act of benevolent was what Ode had carried from her days as Miss Nigeria to date.
“We want to be able to celebrate her and also to encourage others who may be nursing ambition in the same area.
“The truth is that Anna Ode, nee Eboweime, has had a huge influence on our people as a former Miss Nigeria; her name rings a bell, even among the Gen Zs, ” Ojo said.
According to him, this year’s edition of the marathon was being expanded into a cultural and community festival to attract investment opportunities to the area.
Speaking on the 10km marathon, he said that the prize had increased in response to current economic realities.
He further said that preparations had commenced already as part of efforts to ensure a better organised event.
“The event will bring together athletes from across Nigeria and beyond, in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to ensure world-class standards.
“Of course, you know that the race was put together to discover and groom talents at the local level to global stardom, ” he said.
Ojo disclosed that some of the athletes discovered in previous editions had gone ahead to feature in some of Nigeria’s greatest marathon races, including the Lagos and Okpekpe marathons.
NAN
