Yomi Durojaye
As part of efforts to promote unity, sports development, and grassroots mobilisation ahead of Asiwaju 2027 and beyond, the organising committee of the Run for Asiwaju 2027 Mini Marathon paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Akinola Idowu the Executive Chairman of Orile Agege LCDA.
The committee was warmly received by the Chairman, Hon. Idowu.
The visit was aimed at seeking formal endorsement and consolidating institutional support for the forthcoming marathon.
Addressing members of the press, at the press conference held at Orile Agege, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Dipo Liadi outlined the vision, aims, and objectives of the initiative.
He explained that the mini marathon is designed to mobilise residents of Agege Local Government and Orile-Agege LCDA, using sports as a unifying platform to promote collective participation, healthy living, and social inclusion in the build-up to 2027.
He noted that the race will feature 1,000 participants, grouped into various categories including special persons, VIPs, politicians, members of the National Union of Teachers, professionals, youths, and women, with each category distinguished by unique attire.
The prize structure was also unveiled, with 200 winners set to receive ₦10,000 each, while professional athletes will compete for top prizes of ₦50,000 each, bringing the total prize pool to ₦2,350,000.
The route will commence from Agege Local Government Secretariat, proceeding through Pen Cinema Bridge, Oke-Koto Junction, Oniwaya, Dopemu, Agbotikuyo, and culminating at the Orile-Agege LCDA Secretariat.
Notable dignitaries expected at the event include Hon. Akinola Idowu, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa , Hon. Johnson Babatunde , Yomi Otubela, Hon. Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi , Ota Solo, and several other prominent personalities.
Mr. Liadi Oladipo further disclosed that the committee’s next major programme after the marathon will be a boxing competition, reinforcing their commitment to sustained sports development within the community.
In his response, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Akinola Idowu Dodo, commended the organisers for initiating the project with personal resources despite not receiving financial backing at the early stage.
He assured them of the full support of both Agege LGA and Orile-Agege LCDA, noting that the initiative transcends politics and is aimed at uniting the people through sports.
He revealed that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, RT. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has been briefed and is fully in support of the programme. According to the Chairman, sports remains a powerful tool for social cohesion and youth engagement, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Hon. Akinola further disclosed that engagements with the state government have commenced to hand over sports facilities for effective management, with venues such as Ilepako Field, Ladoje Field, Oyewole Field, and other community sports centres already receiving attention.
The programme, powered by Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, concluded with an interactive media session, during which questions from journalists were comprehensively addressed by the Executive Chairman.
The Run for Asiwaju 2027 Mini Marathon is set to stand as a landmark sporting event, reinforcing unity, healthy living, and collective progress for Agege and Orile-Agege, beyond 2027.
