Eniola, Igbokwe, win 2nd Ajegunle City Youth Marathon

The second edition of the annual Ajegunle City Youth Marathon came to a successful conclusion, Saturday December, 13, 2025 with Shaba Dare Eniola and Amarachi Igbokwe winning the male and female category

The 10 kilometer race tagged, ‘Run to the path of light, Say no to drugs’,
which was flagged off at the Maracana Stadium by Oba Moroof Amodu Tijani Amore 111, the Olu of Iwa and Apapa kingdom assisted by the Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon. Olamilekan Olu Akindipe, terminated at the Nigerian Army Signals Barracks, Mile 2, Lagos.

Immediately after the flag off, the two winners left no one in doubt about their ability to emerge champions of the race as Shaba Dare Eniola from the third kilometer, broke away from others and maintained a comfortable lead that enabled him win the men’s race at a time of 32mins, 48 seconds. He was closely followed by Quzeem Ayotunde who clocked a time of 34 mins, 42 seconds to take the second position while Olayinka Peter returned in a time of 44 mins, 35 seconds to win the third position.

In the female category, Amarachi Igbokwe, an SS 111 student of Awodi-Ora Secondary School ran a time of 53 mins,1 second to emerge winner while Aro Faozeeyah and Rejoice Moses recorded a time of 1hr, 35 mins and 1hr, 51mins respectively to win the second and third positions.

Speaking on their victories, both Eniola and Igbokwe attributed it to hard work and perseverance noting that although they ran through a difficult weather and terrain, they were able to maintain their speed and composure to come out victorious

They also commended the organisers of the Ajegunle city youth marathon as well as the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area and the Ifelodun Local Council Development Area for coming up with the wonderful initiative aimed at encouraging youths to shun drugs and embrace sports.

” We really prepared very hard for the race and that was why we were able to defeat other contestants. The weather was not too friendly, but not minding that, we maintained our composure which eventually gave us victory.
” It’s important we commend the organisers of the race because it helps in giving the youths enough exposure to challenge for honours in other long distance races in the country”, they chorused.

Speaking at the event, Oba Moroof Amodu Tijani, expressed happiness with the successful completion of the second edition of the marathon, even as he charged the youths to imbibe the slogan of the race and shun drugs.

“I’m really happy that this is happening in my domain and the youths came out in their numbers to be part of this race. You know Ajegunle is known for producing stars whether in football, music, arts or sports and through this race, we hope to fight drug abuse and discover budding talents who will give East Africans a run for their money in long distance races.

Chairman Ajeromi/ Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon.Olamilekan Olu Akindipe, advised the youths not to engage in social vices but to engaged in meaningful activities like sports which will bring honour to themselves, their families and the nation at large.
He noted that the Council Area under his watch will continue to support the marathon because of it’s many benefits to the youths.

The Council boss says they are working in tandem with the Lagos State Sports Commission in harnessing discovered talents

In their separate remarks, convener of the marathon, Isaac Moses and the Chairman of the Local Organizing committee, Prince Ogaga Wowo, expressed satisfaction with the race; saying that they look forward to Lagos State Sports Commission adopting the race from the next edition, just as they appealed for more corporate support for the race.

” We’re really satisfied with the general organisation of the race and also thank God that there was no injury to any of the athletes and this will make us plan for a bigger event next year.
” We also want to use this oppot to appeal for corporate support for the race and also look forward to Lagos State Sports Commission adopting it next year.

” We also want to say that since we flagged off the two editions from the Maracana Stadium, we hope to flag off the next edition from the Nigerian Army Signals Barracks with the Maracana Stadium as the finish point in the next edition”, they stressed.

Winners of the race in both the male and female categories, got N300,000 while the first and second runners- up, went home with N200,000 and N100,000.

There was also cash prizes for winners in school category which ranged from N100,000, N75,000 and N50,000 for the first three winners.

All the participants got medals and certificate of participation.