Lotus 10km race: Winners got motivated, says CEO Nord Automobile

 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nord motors, Oluwatobi Ajayi has said winners of the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km race were properly motivated.

Ajayi stated this during an interview with newsmen at the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km Race in Abeokuta, Ogun state on Saturday.

The astute entrepreneur who hailed the organisers for a hitch-free race, said all the winners were deserving.

He said, “I take sports very seriously; there is no bigger motivation than money. You could see both the foreign and home grown athletes were given prizes as motivation. This will make people train harder for the next edition and it makes people healthier. I believe there might be upcoming long distance clubs which can make the society fitter.

"The winners of the race were deserving and I promise to be a part of the 10km race in subsequent editions. This has been a fantastic event; the organisers have done a very good job and I am impressed. This has shown that when we do things right in Nigeria, they can come out nicely.”

Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for supporting the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km race and Nilayo Sports Management Limited for promoting healthy living in the country.

He revealed that Nord Automobile will be a part of the 2024 National Sports Festival coming up in Ogun state.

He said, “I want to thank the Ogun State Government for allowing us to organise the 10km race and appreciate the youths for showing positivity towards sports in the state and country at large. There was no record of violence and I am proud to be associated with the Lotus Bank Abeokuta 10km race.

“NORD are part of the sponsors for Lagos Marathon and other sporting events. I am sure you are aware of the 2024 National Sports Festival and we are going to be part of the event.”

Ismael Sadjo, Rose Akusho steal show at 2021 Bigi Abeokuta 10 KM Race

 

Ismaeel Sadjo from Cross River state on Saturday, November 13, 2021 emerged champion of the Bigi Abeokuta 10 kilometre race (Men category) to claim the two thousand dollars prize money.

The race started at the popular Ake palace, and Sadjo got to the finish line at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta after thirty one minutes and three seconds (31.03)

In a race that featured 100 percent indigenous runners, Stephen Joshua from Plateau state finished second with a time of thirty one minutes and forty three seconds (31.43), while Emmanuel Gyang finished as the second runner up (32.05).

In the women version, Plateau state athletes took centre stage as three of their runners finished on the podium.

Rose Akusho took the top prize with a time of thirty six minutes and twenty nine seconds (36.29), she was closely followed by Vera Yahanna who got to the finish line after thirty seven minutes, five seconds (37.05), just as Patience Dalyop took the third Position with a  time of (38.05).

The top three in the male and female category were presented with a cheque of two thousand dollars, one thousand five hundred dollars and one thousand dollars in that order.

The wheelchair race had Sefiu Ojeleye, Akanni Jelili and Shola Opaleke as the podium finishers respectively in the male category, while Olajumoke Olajide, Chika Enwerem and Nofisat Adefala emerged as the winner, first runner up and second runner up in that order in the female version.

Organizers of the Abeokuta 10 kilometre Race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited confirmed that the athletes will be credited in a record time of 48 hours.

Managing Director of NSML, Hon. Bukola Olopade at the end of the event appreciated the sponsors and the Ogun state government for the tremendous support, he added that their limitless contribution will continue to strengthen and empower the youth, and also give a facelift to the sports sector in the country.

Hon. Olopade made it known that the decision to feature just indigenous athletes at this edition of the Abeokuta 10 kilometre race has already proven to be a success.

He said "Our decision to have a Home land race for the first time has yielded positively, and going forward, we will review this decision and if it will be best for the Abeokuta 10 kilometre race to remain as a race for Indigenes, so be it".

"This wouldn't have been possible without the support from our sponsors, Rite Foods, makers of the Bigi Brand, Access Bank, Suzuki, Coleman Wires and Cables, IBD Hotels and others, we sincerely appreciate everything you have committed into this project, one thing we will continue to assure you is the quality, value and a good mileage for your input" 

"We also appreciate the Executive governor of Ogun State, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, the enabling environment is unrivalled, we will not take this support for granted".

"We are already looking forward to the next edition which we believe will be bigger and better, thank you everyone".

At the end of the event, Legendary Fuji musician, Alhaji Sefiu Alao (Baba Oko thrilled the audience at the MKO Abiola Stadium, rave of the moment, Alayo Melody singer (Global Legend of Orchestra) was also on hand to entertain the crowd.

Another top rated juju musician, Boye Best also created magic, while fast rising Abeokuta based hype man, Michael Fadiya (MOTM) infused energy to wrap up the epoch making event.

Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Olumide Osoba was present at the flag off of the race which had earlier received Royal Blessings from the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

The Secretary to the state government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi led the extremely powerful state government delegation which also had commissioner for youth and sports, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare, his local government and chieftaincy affairs associate, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, special assistant to the governor on youth and sports, Lamide Lawal, special assistant on Job creation, Mr. Abiola Odetola and a host of others.

Captains of industry, prominent people from different walks of life were also in attendance

Eventual winners of Abeokuta 10KM Race will receive prize money in record time - Organizers

The organizers of Abeokuta 10 kilometre race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), have revealed that eventual winners at the 2021 edition scheduled for November 13 will be paid 48 hours after the race.

Managing Director of NSML, Hon. Bukola Olopade said it's a record time of crediting winners, a development he described as a step in the right direction.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race with the theme, "Naija, Race For Homeland" is restricted to indigenous runners, the first time of having such in the history of races put together by the foremost sports marketing company.

In his words, Hon. Olopade, a former sports commissioner in the Gateway state said measures are already in place to ensure a hitch free race, he added that the City of Abeokuta is extremely ready to host the indigenous athletes coming from different part of the country.

He said "Winners will get their prizes 48 hours after the race, it's a record time of payment, the history is there for all to see"

"We are extremely glad to put up ideas that will add quality to what we have put in place, come November 13, the indigenous athletes will witness a top notch road race which is strictly for Naija, our Homeland"

"With the support we have from our sponsors and the Ogun State government, we are ready for the great Abeokuta 10KM Race"

At stake is a two thousand dollars ($2,000) prize money for the eventual winner, while the second and third to reach the finish line will go home with one thousand five hundred dollars ($1500), and one thousand dollars ($1000) in that order.

The 2021 Abeokuta 10 kilometre race will also have a Wheelchair category where the top three runners will receive five hundred thousand naira, three hundred thousand naira and two hundred thousand naira respectively.

The take off point for the race is the Ake Palace, it will terminate at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Coleman Wires and Cables team up with Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race

Organizers of the Abeokuta 10KM Race, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) have confirmed Coleman Wires and Cables as the latest partners to join the list of sponsors for the event .

The Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Mr. Bukola Olopade who announced the partnership expressed optimism that the relationship will stand the test of time.

He said "Coleman is a great addition to our list of outstanding sponsors and partners, for 25 years, Coleman has been manufacturing products that meet national and international standards of excellence".

"Coleman's commitment to excellence is a key trait we celebrate in all our sponsors and partners, this race is about celebrating what makes us stand out as Nigerians, our tenacity and the spirit of excellence".

"Naija, race for homeland is not just about the Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race, it is a call for Nigerians to embrace an active fitness lifestyle".

The Bigi Abeokuta 10KM Race is scheduled for 13th November 2021, the route starts at the Ake Palace and ends at the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium.

The event will feature a 10KM Race and a Wheelchair category, winners will go home with $2000 (Two Thousand Dollars), first runners up will win $1500 (One thousand five hundred dollars), and $1000 (One thousand dollars) for the third position in the male and female category.

The race is greatly supported by the Ogun State government, the headline sponsor is Rite Foods, other sponsors include Kenya Airways, Suzuki, Ecogas and IBD Hotels.

*About Coleman Wires and Cables:*

Coleman Wires and Cables is committed to manufacturing consistent quality wires and cables that meet and exceed customer's expectations, Coleman ensures continual improvement of processes and service delivery through staff development, motivation and creation of a conducive work environment towards achieving utmost customer satisfaction.

Coleman products include High/Medium Voltage Cables, Low Voltage Cables, Fire Resistant Wires and Wables, LSFOH Wires.

*About Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML)*

Nilayo Sports Management Limited is a management and marketing company based in Lagos, Nigeria, Nilayo has worked with some of the biggest names in the world of sports including World Athletics (WA), Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Nilayo organizes several sporting events across the country, which include Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which is the biggest Marathon in Africa and elite labelled by the World Athletics, Great Abeokuta 10KM Race, Africa's foremost Ultra Race, the Valuejet IAU African Championship, Remo, a 50KM Ultra Race held in Ogun State, among others.

Bayo Adegboyega

(Media Officer, Abeokuta 10KM Race)

Rite Foods unveiled as headline sponsor for Great Abeokuta 10km Race

Nilayo Sports Management Limited, organizers of the Great Abeokuta 10KM Race has announced Rite Foods Limited as the headline sponsor of the race.

Mr. Bukola Olopade, the Chief Executive Officer of Nilayo Sports Management Limited said "We are delighted to announce Rite Foods Limited as Headline sponsor of the second edition of Great Abeokuta 10KM Race.

This partnership also perfectly coincides with the concept of this edition which is to be ran solely by Nigerians".

"All runners will have the ultimate dollar prize to contest for, this event will mark itself as Nilayo Sports will be organising a road race without foreign runners for the very first time."

"We felt that it is important to push the Nigerian narrative, that is why we also themed this year's race "Naija, race for homeland; it's necessary to showcase the dynamism of our strength as a nation of great people who are committed to excellence in all human endeavors".

Boluwatife Adedugbe, Assistant Brand Manager, Rite Foods LTD. Said "The event is going to be extremely memorable; attendees are going to be treated to a refreshing experience with the fantastically array of quality products strategically positioned at all race points in following through with an experience like never before.

"This strategic partnership with Nilayo Sports fits perfectly with promoting the proudly Nigerian narrative with Rite Foods being a pioneer of the "Proudly Nigerian and Truly World Class Narrative" in the FMCG industry which is significant to the event essence".

The Big Abeokuta 10KM Race is scheduled for 13th of November 2021, the route starts at Ake Palace and ends at the M.K.O Abiola International stadium, the event will feature a 10KM Race and a Wheelchair category.

The race is greatly supported by the Ogun State government, other sponsors include Access Bank, Kenya Airways, Suzuki, Ecogas and IBD Hotels.

About Rite Foods: Rite Foods Limited is a truly world class, proudly Nigerian Foods and Beverages manufacturing company which began food production in March 2008, Rite Foods is a major player in the sausage segment of the food industry and is gradually gaining market share in the soft drinks and energy drinks' segment of the beverage industry in Nigeria.

Rite Foods Limited manufactures under high ethical standards and hygienic conditions to produce quality products that are fit for consumption.

About Nilayo Sports Management Limited: Nilayo Sports Management Limited is a sports management and marketing company based in Lagos, Nigeria, Nilayo has worked with some of the biggest names in the world of sports including World Athletics, Confederation of African Athletics and Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Nilayo organises several sporting events across the country, which include Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which is the biggest Marathon in Africa and elite labelled by World Athletics, Great Abeokuta 10KM Race, Africa's foremost Ultra Race, the Valuejet IAU African Championship, a 50KM Ultra Race held in Remo, Ogun State among others.

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