Saka Sultan and Kazeem Anuoluwapo emerged champions in the male and female categories respectively at the 2026 Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi Independence Day Mini Marathon, as the seventh edition of the annual 10-kilometre race took place across Ikorodu on Thursday, October 1.

The marathon, a joint initiative of the Ikorodu Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and the Onward Movement of Nigeria, commenced at the Ayangburen Palace and finished at the historic Ikorodu Town Hall, attracting athletes, sports enthusiasts, community leaders, government representatives and residents.

Saka Sultan claimed the male category with a time of 40:53.08, while Kazeem Anuoluwapo emerged winner of the female category with a time of 47:53.36. Both champions received Certificates of Excellence Performance in recognition of their achievements.

A total of 300 athletes submitted entries for the race, with 245 qualifying to participate, while 55 were disqualified.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Bello Oladimeji Akeem, congratulated the winners and commended all participating athletes, encouraging those who did not finish among the winners to remain committed to training and return stronger in subsequent editions.

Akeem described the marathon as an avenue for promoting patriotism, unity, healthy competition, discipline and youth development, while highlighting its role in identifying and nurturing sporting talents within Ikorodu Division.

Speaking on the Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi Independence Day Mini-Marathon, former Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade, reflected on the consistency in sustaining the initiative for six years without support, noting that the programme has remained a platform for promoting youth development and healthy living in Ikorodu.

Agunbiade appreciated the Chairman of IKODASS for supporting the initiative this year, stressing the importance of sustaining the programme and preserving the progress recorded over the years.

He also traced the history of the competition to 2015, when it was introduced as the Independence Day Mini Marathon, before it was renamed in 2017 in honour of His Royal Majesty Oba Engr. Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom and Convener of the Onward Movement of Nigeria.

The initiative was established to discover and develop young sporting talents, promote sports tourism in Ikorodu Division and provide opportunities for athletes from public and private secondary schools to develop their abilities.

The event received support from Education District II, Ikorodu General Hospital, Lagos State Sports Commission, administrators of public and private schools, teachers, coaches, security agencies, traffic management personnel, race officials and volunteers.

Special recognition was also given to parents and guardians for encouraging young athletes to participate in the competition.

The seventh edition further highlighted the partnership between IKODASS and the Onward Movement of Nigeria in using sports to promote youth development, community participation and healthy competition across Ikorodu Division.

The athletes covered a 10-kilometre route through major areas of Ikorodu before finishing at Ikorodu Town Hall.