There was general excitement in Iseyin Community yesterday when the youths embarked on fitness race and walked across some selected places in the town.
The marathon race which started at OJaba at exactly 8am on Saturday, 26th of November 2022 had participants drawn from various areas and towns in Iseyin Local Government Council.
The race started from Iseyin Town Hall, Ojaba and ended with a final destination at Technical College, Oluwole.
The President of Iseyin Youth Development Group, Babajide Oniyo while giving his opening remark said, the programme was organised purposely to sensitize the youths on the need to be responsible in their youthfulness by having second address aside from politics. He averred that it was perceived to be the only panacea to the menace of shying a way from speaking the truth to power and that it is the only solution to the stagnant position of youths in the scheme of things.
“We observed keenly, the political era and we discovered the level of youths’ impacts on the conducts of elections and electioneering campaigns. Where the type of involvement determines the impact same will have on the polity and governance. Since Nigerians can’t continue to blame the darkness, we gat to join hands in the lightening of candle by continuously appeal to the consciousness of fellow youths to know their values and be the change they always clamour for. Instead of becoming enemies in the name of politics, we should rather become friends on development. Hence, the conceptualization of the marathon race”.
“It’s our hope that the race is going to serve as an avenue to remind the youths of their values and their responsibilities in the peaceful growth and serenity of the country as general elections approach. It will also serve as an extracurricular activity for students and promote cordial relationship among the schools. Furthermore, it will further project Iseyin Local government in high stance amongst its contemporaries in Oke-Ogun. It’s our great hope that subsequent ones will boost Iseyin economy and reputation as the race will be opened to the entire Oke -Ogun for participation”.
Dr. Ridwan Bello who delivered lecture at the programme, called on youths to brace up for the challenges of leadership as their future is solely lying in their hands. He appealed to youths to ensure that they join hands in electing good politicians as there are no more ‘better and best’ politicians again.
He maintained that the youths have power to influence the leadership pattern of the country if they use their PVCs to elect people of integrity into powers as against the shenanigans that currently hold sway.
Winners of the Marathon race drawn from both males and females. Taofeek Rasheed came first in the male category while Ahmed Faidat emerged overall winner in the female category. Cash prizes and other materials were distributed to the winners of the competition as well as all the participants.
Below is the full list of the winners of the recently concluded Iseyin Marathon Race 2022.
STUDENTS CATEGORY (MALE)
1st – Eyinade Sunday (First Baptist Model School, Iseyin)
2nd – Thomas Gabriel (Koso community Grammar School, Iseyin)
3rd – Ibrahim Abubakar (Ekunle High School, Iseyin)
4th – Aderoju Yusuff (First Baptist School Koso 1, Iseyin)
5th – Okeniyi Samod (The Pen College, Iseyin)
STUDENT CATEGORY (FEMALE)
1st – Hamed Faidat (Koso Community Grammer School, Iseyin)
2nd – Olaniyi Victoria (Ekunle High School, Iseyin)
3rd – Sulaimon Sofiyah (Ekunle High School, Iseyin)
PUBLIC CATEGORY (MALE)
1st – Rosheed Taofeeq
PUBLIC CATEGORY (FEMALE)
1st – Afolabi Olaitan
The Marathon race was graced by several stakeholders including National President of Iseyin Development Union, I.D.U, Comrade Lateef Ajetumobi, the State President Iseyin Development Union,Home Chapter, Alh. Shittu Gbeko, President of Iseyin Council of Societies, Hon. Osunpaimo, Honourable representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, Hon. Dele Adeola, representatives of Senator representing Oyo North, Sen. Fatai Buhari, Chairman, Iseyin South LCDA, among several others.