The Local Organising Committee for the seventh Obudu international mountain race and the third African nations mountain running championships has sent a message of congratulations to senator Liyel Imoke,the governor of Cross River state who was decorated yesterday with the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) award by president Goodluck Jonathan.

In the message,the LOC says senator Imoke merited whatever awards that may be conferred on him not only because of his sterling leardership qualities but also by the fact that he is a man who believes in the development of the youth.

‘We are not surprised that His Excellency was conferred with the CON award by the president of Nigeria.Senator Imoke is an astute administrator whose almost four years of governance in Cross River state has seen an unprecedented positive transformation of the state.

He believes in the development of the youth and has demonstrated this with the various programmes he has initiated towards this objective’’, said Sir William Archibong,chairman of the LOC for the race,who added that the governor has been the pillar behind the success of the annual race.

‘His Excellency has been the pillar behind the successes we have recorded so far.He has made the race one of the most anticipated races in the calendar of the world mountain running association.”

He is leaving no stone unturned at ensuring that the Obudu Ranch hosts the 30th edition of the World Mountain Running Championships in 2014′,he said.

Sir Archibong vows that the LOC will ensure it organises another excellent event to match the governor’s high expectation.