Kunle Adelabu
The representative of Ikorodu federal constituency, Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, on Saturday, hosted the Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Kanyinsola Ajayi to an befitting and rewarding welcome baby to his constituency where he started his journey to stardom.
The visit tagged, “Kanyinsola Ajayi Home Coming Ikorodu”, saw te national record holder appearing on the IKD FM situated within Rep Babajimi Benson Constituency Office in Ikorodu; visitation to Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo at his palace and tour of the near completed Igbogbo stadium and the Italian – Elewa Youth Centee, a sporting and activities centre facitated by Rep. Benson.
The visitation and tour which also included the sprinter’s mother, Mrs Ajayi, his coach, Mrs Lawal Ipade, his manager; Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Omo’ba Hameed Aroyewun; the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I, Prince Oluwatoyi ln Gafaar Bolowotan, and Alhaji Musbau Alejo, a Supervisor in Ikorodu Local Government among other dignitaries, also saw the team attending the infection into Ikorodu Division Hall of Fame at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Ikorodu
Kanyinsola Ajayi won the bronze medalist at the recently held 2026 Commonwealth Games and holds the Nigerian national record in the men’s 100m, with an impressive personal best of 9.84 seconds, a mark he established earlier this year.
After the Commonwealth games, he participated at the Diamond League Final, in Brussels, where he finished in third place with 9.97seconds.
He claimed the 2026 NCAA 100m title with a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds.
Rep. Benson expressing his happiness at welcomed Kanyinsola back home in the constituency which he is representing, also lauded the sprinter for keeping touch with his former schol mates in Igbogno and teachers
”I am so happy to have Kanyisola Ajayi here. I have been watching him on television but I did not know thst he’s from Ikorodu federal Constituency, Ugbogbo to be precise.
”He is number one in Nigeria; number one in Africa, and the third fastest man in the world.
”I am very happy to bring him home. He is a young man, and I am happy he has able to see alot of his colleagues. He has seen is mathematics teacher, and so many people that has been part of his life and I am very very happy here today.
The three – term lawmaker emphasising that the Commonwealth bronze medalist is one of the products of his constituency, also stressed that Ikorodu would produce more athletes with the Igbogbo stadium nearing completion.
”He is acreation of this division (Ikorodu federal constituency), where we have the sport stadium at Igbogbo. His coach told me thst she has twelve of them, and most of them are in America and some of them and other countries.
”Now, we have that stadium which governor Sanwo-olu built for us and once that stadium is commissioned, we would have a whole lot of athletes, and he has also promise to support and give back to Ikorodu division by helping us to develop our talents. We are very very happy, ” Rep. Benson.
In his royal remarks, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, while welcoming back Kanyinsola back home, urge him to take good care of himself and also care for his family and give back to the community where he started.
”I welcome and greet our child, Kanyinsola Ajayi, her mum and manager. Thanks you for managing her very well for us.
”I urged you to take care of yourself. We will continue to pray for your success. Take care of your family. Try as much as possible to give back to the community, and to Nigeria as a whole. Not just Ikorodu or Lagos, but to Nigeria, and to the whole world.
”You are already at the top. Just like Usain Bolt met people in the sport and still came out as was two ft àn number 1. God will do yours and you will become number 1 too. So shall it be. We are glad to see you.
The Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Omo’ba Hameed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA) also speaking on Kanyinsola Ajayi’s visit, said that his council especially it’s headquarters – Igbogbo is known for producing the best in sports and other areas of human endeavors.
”Well, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, is known for that. We always bring the best. Our MHR (Rep. Babajimi Benson) is from Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA and so also is Ajayi.
He thanked his parents, coach and every other persons that has contributed to his stardom.
Aroyewun said that his administration is committed to produce more of Kanyinsola Ajayi with agenda on youth development.
”I want to commend the coach, parents and the society for making him realise his dream and his cocontinuous growth. He is our pride.
”There are thousands of people like that outside which is why youth development is one of our cardinal programmee and we will continue to support them to produce more talents for our community – Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Ikorodu, Lagos Stare and Nigeria in general”
Prince Oluwatiyin Gafaar Bolowotan, APC candidate for the Ikorodu Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, described the visit as a well development.
”This is a very welcome development. It is a thing that we should all be celebrating, and which I am particularly proud of. There are many of them even in Ikorodu; we have very many talented athletes that are been doing very well. We have many of them that are doing well in 1500m race, 400m among others and we also have the national champion.
”We need to be proud of so many of them out there and we must look out for more talented people like this, ” he charged.
Bolowotan like Rep. Benson emphasised that the new Igbogbo stadium when completee would assist Ikorodu Division is producing more talents like Kanyinsola Ajayi, and called for more sporting facilities.
The national record holder, Kanyisola Ajayi also speaking with journalists expresses surprise but thankful at the rousing welcome.
”I feel very happy. I did not really expect all these but, I am grateful to God for keeping me healthy and making it possible for me to represent the green- white -green which is my country, Africa, Ikorodu, Lagos and Nigeria.
He charge young people to be committed to whatever that they love to do and do it better.
”I want to tell my people that whatever that they like doing, they should continue to do it and do it better, and thst, they should trust themselves and keep praying and working hard because, hardwork and prayers work together, ” he said
