Kunle Adelabu.
– Affigbo Esther, Azeez Fatai Emerge 2017 Champions
Miss Adewunmi Salewa of the Lighthouse International School, Ikorodu, was the cynosure of all eyes at the just concluded 3rd Oba Kabiru Shotobi Independence Day Marathon despite being the last athlete to cross the finish line out of the 254 athletes that participated in the race.
She was showered with cash donations and praises at the closing ceremony of the race which was held at the Police Barracks Playing Ground along Igbogbo Road on Sunday, October 1, 2017.
Adewunmi was honoured for her bravery, perseverance and persistence following her injury in the middle of the race and her refusal to let ambulance pick her up as she insisted on completing the race by walking to the finish line.
Her entrance into the police playing ground elicited loud shout from the race officials and co-marathoners as she was bombarded with cash donations by Oba Kabiru Shotobi, Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja and Hon. Sanai Agunbiade.
Meanwhile, Affigbo Esther of Luwasa Senior Secondary School in Ijede Local Council Development Area and Azeez Fatai, a student of Doba Secondary School, Maya in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area emerged 2017 champions of the annual Mini-Marathon which was initiated and sponsored by Hon. Sana Agunbiade, the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly.
Affigbo Esther (337), who emerged winner in the female category, crossed the finish line at 39:11:38secs, while Azeez Fatai (295) completed the race in 46:03:80secs to win the male category.
Each of them won N50,000 with a trophy.
In the second and third positions in the female category are the 2016 female champion, Wahab Zainab of HOMAT Senior School, Igbogbo, who returned the time of 38:19:23secs and Nwagba Mary, a student of Yewa Senior School,Ikorodu, who raced for 41:00:00secs.
Also,Tijani Sefiu of Lagos State Senior Model College returned the time of 46:24:98 while Olanrewaju Saheed of Elepe Community Senior High School completed his race at 46:39:96secs to claim second and third positions respectively in the male category.
Second and third positions in both categories received the some of #30,000 and a trophy each for their efforts.
Young marathoners from 4th to 10th positions in both categories went home with N10,000 worth of voucher to be used in buying goods at Justrite Super Store, Ogolonto in Ikorodu. They also went home with school bags and branded T-Shirts from GRD Limited owned by Chief and Mrs Williams, the Aare and Yeye A are of Ebute – Iga..
Athletes in 11th to 25th positions in both categories were also presented with branded T-Shirts and school bags from GRD Limited.
The 6.9km race, which took off by 8.10am at Ayangbure palace,saw athletes racing through major roads including Livingstone College, Etunrenren street, Late Oba S.A.A Oyefusi’s Residence, Water Works Station, Lagos Road and Ikorodu Garage Round About respectively.
From Ikorodu Garage Roundabout, they race through Sabo Market – Kokoro Abu Street – Ikorodu Grammar School along Awolowo Road – Ota Ona – Oriwu Road – Ita Elewa – Ireshe Road – Sheriff Junction and terminated at Police Barracks along Igbogbo road, Ikorodu.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr Bello …, a director in the Lagos State Sports Council, stated that the annual event will go a long way in developing sports in the state.
He pledged that the sports council will take-over the training of the first to third positions in both categories and help them attain their potentials.
While congratulating the 254 young marathoners, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, enjoined them not to be bothered for not winning the race, but that, “you should take pride in participation”.
In his own royal remarks, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Kasali, stated that the developmental activities taking place in the division are signs that Ikorodu division has overcome the unfortunate ‘Badoo’ threat and other criminalities.
He added that the traditional institutions in the division will give maximum supports to the marathon in subsequent editions and other endeavours of Hon. Agunbiade.
Earlier, the sponsor of the race, Hon. Sanai Agunbaide had stated that the idea of Independence Day Marathon, named after the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, was designed to engage the youths and other residents in Ikorodu on Independence Day.
“We developed the idea for the Oba Shotobi Independence Day Marathon to keep our youths busy and engaged them productively. More importantly, it is designed to bringing our people out rather than sleeping all through the independence celebration and make those going outside Ikorodu to stay back and catch fun”, Agunbiade stated.
While thanking Justrite Super Store and GRD Limited for branding and supporting the race, he added that the 2018 editions would be better.
