Kunle Adelabu with Mariam Akinloye and Oyewumi Adebisi
-Ijede dominates renewed race
The 7th Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi Independence Day Mini Marathon has returned after a five-year hiatus, drawing over 250 young athletes from secondary schools across Ikorodu Division and highlighting the abundance of the division’s talents in the long race sporting event.
The 10-kilometres race, organised by the Onward Movement of Nigeria in collaboration with Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS), kicked -off at the Ayangburen Palace, where the young athletes were flagged off for the race by High Chief Olufemi Emmanuel Onafowokan, representing the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
The race, which started shortly after 8am, ended without any reported casualty, with participants screened by medical teams before taking part in the competition. The medical teams included personnel from the Lagos State Sports Commission and General Hospital Ikorodu.
The race kicked -off 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 – Pashoku – Ojogbe – Ayangbure Road – Olubi and terminating the mini marathon at the Ikorodu Town Hall Ikorodu.
Saka Sultan, 18, an SSS 3 student of Alake College, Ijede, emerged first in the boys’ category with 40minutes 53seconds; while Salman Wariz of Ikorodu Grammar School, Ikorodu placed second with 41minutes 18seconds, while Yekini Samod of Shams-el-deen Senior Grammar School finished third with 51minutes in the boys’ category.
In the girls’ category, Anuoluwapo Kazeem, a JSS 2 student of Luwasa Senior Secondary School, Ijede, emerged first after returning 47minutes 53seconds; Faidah Ibrahim of Maya Community Junior Grammar School, Ikorodu taking second place and Eniola Shodipo of Oreyo Senior Grammar School finishing third with 51minutes 21seconds.
First in both categories received #200, 000 each while second positions got ₦150, 000 and third positions went home with ₦100, 000.
₦50, 000 each to 4th to 10th in both categories.
Every participants also got certificate of participation and school bags.
Speaking at the event, the initiator of the marathon and former Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Oyeniran Bolanle Agunbiade, popularly known as “SOB”, said the competition was established to identify and develop young athletes who could represent Ikorodu at wider competitions.
Agunbiade recalled that the marathon previously produced athletes who had gone on to compete successfully outside the country and at major competitions.
“When we started this programme, it was with the aim of producing athletes that can become international athletes,” he said.
He cited former winners including Shakiru Sodiq, who is now based in the United States, Anita, who is currently competing in Turkey, and Esther Afigbo, who has won major marathon competitions.
Agunbiade expressed confidence that the winners of the 2026 edition could also progress to higher levels, adding that the objective was to help students develop their athletic abilities into sustainable careers.
The Chairman of the Day and CEO of Primero Transport Services Limited, Mr Fola Tinubu, commended the young participants, particularly after learning that some completed the 10-kilometre race in under 40 minutes.
“I’m so proud of these young people, because for them to do the marathon, 10 kilometres in under 40 minutes, that shows that they are fit, they are dedicated, and we have to encourage them,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu pledged continued support for the competition, including transportation and financial assistance, while urging the organisers to communicate earlier ahead of future editions to enable more participants and supporters to prepare.
He also called for greater investment in schools across Ikorodu, noting that developing young people went beyond athletics.
“We need to do more for Ikorodu schools, and we need to put Ikorodu schools on the map,” he said.
He promised to support efforts aimed at improving the visibility and quality of schools in the division.
Chairman of IKODASS, Alhaji Kolawole Fatai Olayiwola, also called for increased participation in future editions, particularly among students who may face transportation challenges.
He appealed to sponsors and stakeholders to provide buses that could bring more students to the starting point, with the aim of increasing participation significantly in subsequent editions.
Speaking with the 2026 champion, Saka Sultan of Alake College, after completing the race ahead of the other competitors, the 18-year-old said he has trained regularly in preparation for the competition after studying the previous winning time.
“I practised to beat the record by all means,” he said.
Anuoluwapo Kazeem, winner in the female category, a 13-year-old JSS 2 pupil, also attributed her victory to the training she had received from her coach.
“I just want to thank my coach for this win because he was the one who has been training me to achieve this great thing today,” she said.
One of the notable stories of the competition came from the young athletes trained by Hon. Saka Nurudeen Adeleke, Councillor representing Ijede LCDA Ward C. He said several of the successful athletes had passed through his training programme, which he has operated in Ijede for about 10 years.
He said the first-place female athlete, as well as several of the male participants, were among those he had trained.
“I have been into this system for the past 10 years in Ijede. We train virtually almost every day, especially weekends,” Adeleke said.
He commended Agunbiade for his commitment to supporting young athletes and expressed hope that the marathon would continue to provide opportunities for talents within Ikorodu.
“I personally want to thank honourable SOB Agunbiade for his encouragement and commitment towards these students who are upcoming athletes and long-distance runners. If this event can continue like this, the people of Ikorodu will be really glad,” he said.
The event also attracted several dignitaries, including Aarebirin Hon. Princess Dr. Folashade Florence Olabanji-Oba, immediate past Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government; Hon. Babawale Bisiriyu Alogba, Vice Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government; Chief Ayodele Elesho; Prince Akeem Olukunga; and other traditional, political, business and community leaders.
The return of the marathon has consequently renewed calls for sustained support for youth sports development in Ikorodu Division, with stakeholders expressing hope that regular editions of the competition will continue to identify, train and expose young talents capable of representing the community at national and international levels.
