Kunle ADELABU, Tawakalitu ASHIMI, Aminat Sulaimon, Yetunde ANIPOLE, Uthman AGBOOLA, Azzez MATANMI
Affigbo Esther, 16 years student of Luwasa High School, Ijede LCDA (Overall Winner of the race):
IMPACT: How do you feel emerging the overall winner?
Affigbo: I feel happy being the overall best athlete in this year’s edition. It’s not by my power but the grace of God Almighty. He is the One that bestowed the talent on me and I pray to Him to help me in going higher.
IMPACT: You won the female category last year and this year gain, you did not only won the female category but also emerged as the overall winner. What is the secret of your success?
Affigbo: My performance was aided by a top coach, Mr Saheed, who handles my training at Tafawa Balewa Square where I go every weekend for my training.
IMPACT: After your second year of successful outing in the Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon, what is your next plan?
Affigbo: Actually, my plan is to be the best marathoner in the country and beyond. I want represent this state and the country at large at international race competitions.I want to specifically thank the initiator and organizer of this annual race, Hon. Agunbiade. I say a very big thank you to him and the organizers for a job well done because this race has helped me a lot while other participants are also proud of participating. God will continue to help him.
John Peter, 17 years old winner of the male category of the 2018 Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon and a senior secondary school 3 student of His Touch School, Ita-Oluwo, Ikorodu North LCDA in Ikorodu Division.
IMPACT: How do you feel emerging the winner in the male category and the overall second best runner in this year’s race?
Peter: The race was exciting and I feel very happy. I am even over excited because I did not expect to emerge winner even though I have trained very hard to win.
IMPACT: Have you been involved in long distance race before?
Peter: Yes. I have been embarking on longer distance in my training and this tournament is nothing compare to the distance that I have been covering.
IMPACT: Did you ever think that you could win the race with your pre-tournament training?
Peter: Yes. I knew God will do it because I have been training so hard. I have been dreaming about emerging the best and I will always be the best.
IMPACT: After this tournament, what is next in your sporting pursuit?
Joseph: I want to continue making those that believe in me to have reasons to sustain their believe. I want to go on and be a true champion.
IMPACT: What is your perception about the organization of the race?
Joseph: I want to thank them for giving me the opportunity to participate and prove what I can do. I say thank you.
Wahab Zainab, 16 years old, was the 1st runner-up in the 2018 edition of the race.She was the winner and 1st runner-up in the 2017 and 2015 editions of the race respectively. She is a JJS 3 student of HOMAT Comprehensive College in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA:
“I have been consistent in the last three years of the race. My emergence in the second position of this year’s edition is just to say that I could do better next year. Although, I was expecting to win the race again this year but it didn’t happen. I thank my school for the support as well as the organizers for organising the race”.
Miss Ogunsesan Nimota, 18 years old, came 3rd in female category of the race. She is a student of Majidun Senior Secondary School 2 in Ikorodu West LCDA:
“I feel very happy emerging 3rd in the race. The race wasn’t an easy task but I give God the glory that I was able to go through the challenge and finished in the 3rd position”.
Oyetunde Toheeb, (3rd position in male category), I6 years old student of Ipakodo Senior Grammar School:
“I am very impressed emerging one of the best in the male category. My mum, dad and my school motivated and supported me a lot. I am very happy”.
Olapade Zainab (5th position in the female category) is a 16 years old SSS 3 student of Great Everly School:
“I feel tired but I am happy and thankful to God for emerging fifth best because I was in the 18th position in the last year’s race. I want to thank Hon. SOB Agunbiade for hosting the event every year and giving us the opportunity to showcase our talents”.
Ogunmokandun Ayo (7th position in the male category) is a 18 years old SS 2 Student of Imota Community Senior Grammar School, Imota:
“This is my first time of participating in the race and I had the intention of winning but unfortunately, I emerged 7th in the race”.
Adebayo Tobi, (Youngest athlete, 30th position in the male category) 11 years old student of Rockford International School, Ikorodu:
“I feel happy competing with older guys. I like the race and got inspired along the way to run faster like the older athletes. I will keep training so as to participate in the next year edition and other competitions”.
Fidelis Regina (11th position in female category) is an SS 3 student of Kinsfield College, …:
“The race was nice. It’s not my first time but I got tired along the way”.
Akintunde Grace (15th position in the female category),student of United High School, Ikorodu:
“I have not been training for the race but I enjoyed my participation. Kudos to the organizers”.
Adewunmi Abdulateef (17th position in the male category) is a 16 years old student of … school:
“I have lost motivation but what motivated me most was my performance in last year’s edition where I came 20th. I actually fainted when I was about crossing the line which made those behind me to overtake me. What happened last year motivated me to participate again this year and even determined to better my performance. Though, the race was difficult but at same time, it was interesting”.
Lawal Kanyinsola (18th position in the female category), HOMAT Group of School, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA:
“This is my first time of participating in the race and I feel very tired”.
Opeyemi Aishat (20th position in the female category) is an SS 2 Student of Ikorodu Senior Grammar School:
“The race was interesting and at same time, it was a difficult one”.
