Kunle Adelabu
It was a royal father affair on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, when three traditional rulers in Ikorodu Division unveiled the logo and trophies for 2021 Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini – Marathon coming up on October 1.
His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in whose honour the annual race was instituted, led other traditional rulers which included His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of lgbogbo and His Royal Majesty, Oba David Kayode Raji Balogun, the Eweye of Isiwu, to perform the unveiling ceremony at the Ayangbure palace.
Other dignitaries at the well attended event were Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, the Asipa of lkorodu Kingdom and Vice Chairman, APC Lagos East Senatorial District, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu and former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, Otunba Olusegun Ganiyu Abiru, Secretary, Ikorodu Security Trust Fund Limited, Chief Layembi, Olootu (head) of Lasunwon Ruling House, High Chief Folake Shonubi, the Iyalode of Ikorodu and Prince Hakeem Olukunga, former Member, Governing Council, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC).
There were also Erelus and members of the Osugbo cult.
Also at the unveiling ceremony were Esther Affiong, a former winner of the race and now a professional marathoner and the winners (male and female categories) in the last edition of the race, Master Alloy ifeanyi John of Imota Community High School and Miss Akanbi Muslimat of Luwasa Senior High Schoo, Ijede.
The Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the initiator and sponsor of the race, speaking at the event, said that the mini – marathon would be a 10 kilometer race while adding that the race was named after the Ayangbure of Ikorodu to honour the First Class monarch.
“We have been doing this for the past seven years.
“We are again gathered here today (Wednesday) for the unveiling of the logo for this year’s Oba Kabir Shotobi Independence Day Mini – Marathon .
“It is going to be a 10 kilometer race for students who are 16 years and below. This is the international requirement age for mini – marathon and anything above is a full marathon”, he said.
While restating that the marathon was named in honour of the Ayangbure of Ikorodu for his support and efforts in developing Ikorodu after ascending the throne of his ancestors, the ranking lawmaker also thanked the Tutor – General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mrs Anike Adekanye, for donating two giants trophies to be presented to winners of the two categories of the race.
“This is a race named after our referred royal father who is the First Permanent Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas & Chiefs and Chairman, Ikorodu Chieftaincy Committee, because of his support for the race and efforts in developing Ikorodu”, Hon. Agunbiade said.
“This year, we shall be presenting two giants trophies to the winners in the male and female categories, courtesy of the Tutor – General/Permanent Secretary, Mrs Anike Adekanye. She donated the trophies as part of her support for the race and that is going to add colours to the event.
“The participants are expected to gather at the Ayangbure palace in the morning of the race where the royal father will declare the race open and they will race through the dedicated routes and berth at the Police Barracks for the presentation of trophies, prize money, medals and other gift items.
Hon. Agunbiade said that the organizers usually conduct medical test to determine the fitness of the participants and according to him, more interested students are usually screened out than those approved to participate.
He revealed that 750 participants have registered for the race so far.
“We don’t just allow all the students that show interest to go out there and partake in the race but we usually conduct screening. This is done by competent medical experts and through this, many applicants are usually disqualified”, Hon. Agunbiade said.
“That is why we have never recorded any casualty and we will never do. This, couple with the royal blessings, have been of immense help.
“Also, we have been experiencing increase in participation since the beginning of the race. In 1995, when we started, only 92 students were allowed to participate. 150 took part in the following year while 250, 269 and 446 participants were medically certified and also took part in the race in subsequent years”, he recalled.
“We were unable to hold the race last year due to the COVID -19 pandemic and so far, 750 interested participants have registered for this year’s edition”, Hon. Agunbiade revealed.
Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his royal remarks, thanked the initiator and sponsor of the race for his love for youths and his desire to see them develop and also his love for his people.
“I thank the initiator and sponsor of this annual race for showing love for the youths in Ikorodu and entire state and for me, Oba Shotobi.
“The race usually accommodates students from every part of Ikorodu Division. In the past editions, we have seen occasions where winners emerged from Ijede and other parts of the division.
“God is in support of what we are doing with the marathon and that is why it is growing in leaps and bonds.
“The initiator is a lover of his people and community. That is why he always strive to initiate programmes that impact on the people”.
The royal father said that there used to be independence day activities while he was growing up but that the activities had since been stopped and hailed Hon. Agunbiade for initiating the race.
“We used to have different activities to mark the independence day while growing up. There used to be match past and other activities which had been stopped until Hon. Sanai Agunbiade initiated the Oba Shotobi Independence Day Mini – Marathon, which is very commendable”, Oba Shotobi said.
