Organisers of the maiden Ajegunle Youth Marathon, kick started the race on Saturday, November, 23, 2024 with a well attended VIP race .
The 2.5 kilometer race which attracted important personalities including community and political leaders and celebrities was flagged off at the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area and terminated at the Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat.
On hand to flag off the race is the traditional ruler of Apapa, Oba Moroof Amoda- Tijani assisted by the Vice Chairmen of Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area who represented their bosses; Hon Fatai Adekunle Ayoola and Hon.Olufemi Okeowo Akani respectively.
Speaking at the flag off, Oba Amoda- Tijani explained that Ajegunle is synonimous with sports and that the race is important because it will serve as talent discovery, maintenance of peace, unity and harmony amongst the various ethnic and diverse religious groups that inhabit the area.
The Royal Father while commending National Youth Council of Nigeria for coming out with the wonderful initiative; said the race will also show Nigerians that Ajegunle is not a crime prone area but an area full with talented sportsmen, musicians and artists.
” This marathon is important to us because it will help in spreading the gospel of unity and togetherness amongst the various ethnic groups that make up Ajegunle and we must thank the National Youth Council of Nigeria for coming up with this wonderful initiative”, he said.
Oba Amoda- Tijani commended the
good job the Chairman of Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area is doing through provision of modern sporting facilities at the Maracana Stadium which he said is geared at keeping youths off crime and enable them become useful citizens,urging other Council Chairmen to emulate him
Also speaking, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, a Commissioner in the Audit Committee of Lagos State, reminded Nigerians that marathon is not just about exercise or winning but a message is being passed through it to the outside world that Ajegunle boasts of budding talents in sports, politics and business and that the organisers want to change the narratives for people to know that a lot of good things are happening in the city
In his own remarks, Sports Director General of the Local Government, MacAnthony Anaelechukwu noted that Ajegunle in the past has been known with producing great footballers and music talents but they want to use the marathon and announce to Nigerians that the city is good at athletics even as he stressed that the idea behind the race is to take youths off the street, shawn social vices and be off crime
Coordinator National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area Isaac Success Omoleye said the whole idea about the marathon is to promote fitness and healthy living as well as promote synergy among youths irrespective of age, religion and tribe.
He said that the race will also create awareness that it’s not only football and music that Ajegunle is noted for but that it also have long distance runners who can bring glory to the country.
” It’s important to state that the youths are the most viable assets to the growth and development of any nation and as such, the marathon will serve as a platform to harness the potentials of Ajegunle youths for meaningful youth engagement and also show Nigerians at large that the city apart from having talented footballers, musicians and artists equally boasts of good distance runners”, he explained.
Project leader of the marathon, Isaac Moses giving insight into what to expected on Saturday, November 30, day of the main marathon, he said that all arrangement has being put in place for a successful fun filled race
” Right now we’re expecting over a thousand runners and we’re receiving security assistance from Nigerian Police, Lagos Neighbourhood Agency, and the Federal Road Safety Commission.
” The Lagos State Ministry of Health will be sending two ambulances for precautionary measures. So, we’re good to go. There will be free medical checks on High blood pressure, sugar level and HIV status while our volunteers are fully ready for the race.
He announced that the take off point of Saturdays race will be at the Maracana Stadium while the finishing point is the Sports Ground of Nigerian Army Signals Barracks, Mile 2, Lagos
