Wale Jagun
This year’s edition of the Oba Kabir Shotobi Independence Day Mini – Marathon promises to be a great and interesting outing as many of the participants have said that they are not just going to participate but also aiming for the star prizes.
Some of them spoke with THE IMPACT during the medical screening that ended last Saturday at the Ikorodu Constituency Office of Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the initiator and sponsor of the annual race.
This year’s edition would be the 6th since its commencement about seven years ago. Last year’s edition could not hold because of the outbreak of COVID – 19 pandemic that disrupted the global economic, social and cultural activities.
Ajibade Daniel, a 14 year-old SSS 2 student of Able Brain School, Adaraloye, Ikorodu, who is participating for the first time, said that he is aiming to win the star prize and trophy for his school.
“Though, this is my first entry into the race since its inception, I am participating to win the race this year”, he said.
Lawal Suliat, a 15 year-old SSS 3 student of Able Brain Comprehensive College, Ikorodu, who said she is not sure if she can win the star prize in the female category where she will be competing, said that she will definitely come second or third if she is unable to win the race.
“I will be participating in the race and people should expect me to win or at worst, come second or third”, she said.
A 16 – year old SSS 2 student of Ikorodu Grammar School, Akogun Taiwo who is participating for the first time, assured his school that the trophy, which was donated by the Tutor – General/Permanent Secretary, Mrs Anike Adekanye to the organizers of the race, would be brought home by him.
“My school should be expecting the star prize and trophy”, he said confidently.
“I have been practicing for about two weeks for the marathon and l am sure of winning it”, he added.
Alli Abibat, a 15 year-old SSS 2 student of Ikorodu Grammar School, said that she has been training for a long time and that people should be expecting the first position from her.
“I have been training for a long time. My school and family should be expecting first position from me in the race”, she said confidently.
Nkobu Oluwabusola, a15 year-old SSS 2 student of the Ikorodu Grammar School and an athlete who also said that she has been preparing for the race for a long time, also said that she is aiming for the first position.
Also, a 16 year-old student from Able Brain School, Adaraloye, Ikorodu, who took part in the last edition and came 56th, said that she is preparing to improve on her performance at this year’s race and said that people should be expecting first position from her.
Meanwhile, organizers of the annual race have said that everything is in place to stage a successful 10 kilometer mini – marathon come Friday, October 1, 2021.
Pastor Akeem Bello, in a chat with THE IMPACT, said that security agencies, both conventional and non – conventional, traffic agencies, medical personnel, supporting staff and others have been mobilized for the race.
He also said that apart from the participants that emerge in the first, second and third positions, many others would also go home with prizes.
