The seventh edition of Oba Kabir Shotobi Independence Day mini-marathon on Friday in Ikorodu, Lagos State attracted over 5000 participants, across primary and secondary schools in the state.
The mini-marathon of 10 kilometres race is an idea of the Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade .
Speaking during the marathon, Agunbiade explained that the essence of the event was to commemorate Nigeria Independent and create awareness on the importance of the day.
According to the majority leader, the event was also geared towards discovering budding talents as well as to create sporting rivalry amongst schools in Ikorodu division.
“The reason for this sporting event is to create an awareness on independent day in Ikorodu division and for people to know that something is happening today Oct.1st.
“Last seven years we started this loudable event with 92 athletes but now it has increase tremendously.
“We have been discovering talents and also celebrating the Ayangburen for his love for Ikorodu people,” Agunbiade said.
The majority leader commended the the Royal fathers, the athletes from different schools for participating in the event and urged them to desist from use of hard drugs and shun violence.
“We are celebrating them today because they don’t take drugs or join cultism, so we want them to continue to live peacefully as good ambassadors of Nigeria.
“They should be focus to be able to achieve their goals in life and be celebrated by the people,” he said.
Also speaking, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu commended the majority leader for his vision by initiating event to commemorate independent day and also discover talents in the community.
The monarch also commended the Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Sport ministry for ensuring a successful event.
“For the past seven years the population keep increasing, initially we started with 92 students now we have more than 5000 participants.
“We want to encourage this children through sport because it is not everybody that will be academically sound.
“As I speak now, one of them is enjoying scholarship to study in USA, with this event we will discover more talents, encourage and assist them,” the monarch said.
The Director, Lagos State Sport Commission(LSSC), Gafar Bolowotan said that the commission would continue to support the idea as well as equip all the winners and integrate them into the state athletes.
According to him, LSSC would double prizes and award of this year’s mini marathon winner and integrate them among athletes that would represent Lagos State at the upcoming National Youth Games schedule to hold on Ilorin, Kwara state as an encouragement.
The Permanent Secretary, Education District 2, Anike Adekanye, commended the Majority leader for initiating such event and promise to support the kind gesture in her capacity and donated the trophy to the winners of each category.
The 10 kilometers marathon, Ayinde Lukman, from Ikorodu Grammer school won the male category race with 44: 43 secs while the female category is won by Rebecca Odufowokan with 49:34 secs.
The winners went home with awards and cash prize of 50,000 while first and second runner up sent home with N30,000 and N20,000 respectively.
The event was attended by dignitaries in Ikorodu and APC leaders among who is Sen. Adeseye Segun Ogunlewe, former minister of works.