Wale Jagun
Organisers of the Oba Adewale Shotobi Independence Day Mini- Marathon have promised a better and bigger 7th edition of the sporting event which aimed at promoting grassroots talents and sport tourism in Ikorodu, which holds today, October 1st.
This year’s edition of the 10km race which was also initiated to celebrate the independence and has produced many talents and brought attention to the city, is being made possible through a collaboration between the original initiator – Onward Movement of Nigeria, a working platform for the former Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. (Chief) Sanai Bolanle Agunbiade, and the Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS), is returning after five years break.
The race kicks -off 7:00am at the Ayangbure palace with the young marathoners racing through Solomade/Livingstone Road -Etunrenren – Lowa – Jumofak -Haruna (Lagos Road) – Ikorodu garage Roundabout -Sabo-Kokoro Abu -Awolowo Way (Ota Ona/Itamaga Road) – Ota – Ona – Oriwu Road – Obun Ale – Ita Elewa – Ojogbe – Ireshe Road – Aga junction – Pashokun – Ojogbe – Ayangbure Road – Olubi and terminated at the Ikorodu Town Hall Ikorodu.
The logo for the 7th edition of the marathon was unveiled on Thursday, September 17th, 2026, by His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu at the Ayangbure Palace, with a royal pledge that Ikorodu will sustain the initiative that unites Ikorodu Division, discovers and develops young sporting talents, promotes physical fitness, encourages healthy living, and uses sports as a vehicle for community and economic development.
Young athletes from Oriwu Model College Ikorodu; Shamsudeen Grammar School Ikorodu; Ikorodu Grammar School, Ikorodu; Imota Community Grammar School, Imota and other schools across the division, have emerged as winners and strong competitors, in the previous editions, with Esther Afigbo, standing out as one of its worthy champions.
Chairman of the organising committee, 2026 Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi Independence Day Mini Marathon, Pastor Akeem Bello, stated that the partnership with IKODASS is to expand the competition and make the marathon initiative achieve its set objectives.
“Our objective is clear: To unite Ikorodu Division, discover and develop young sporting talents, promote physical fitness, encourage healthy living, and use sports as a vehicle for community and economic development.
“This marathon is therefore more than a race. It is a movement. It is a platform for youth empowerment. It is a celebration of unity and it is a celebration of Nigeria.”
While calling for support for the independence race, the organising chairman, assured participants and residents of Ikorodu of a better and bigger event.
“Let it represent excellence. And let it represent our collective love for Nigeria.
“We believe that the 2026 edition will be bigger, better, and more impactful. Together, let us build a stronger sporting culture. Together, let us discover the champions of tomorrow,” Pastor Bello stated.
