Oyebanji Restates Commitment To Sports, Tourism Development

Ekiti State government, in collaboration with the Ikogosi Marathon Initiative, has announced plans for the second edition of the Ikogosi 17.5km Marathon race, scheduled for November 8, 2025. The event is designed to promote fitness, attract investments and showcase the state’s natural endowment.

At a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who was represented by his technical advisor on Sports Development, Dr Olusola Osetoba, restated his administration’s commitment to sports and tourism development as a key driver of economic growth and youth engagement in the state.

He added that the Ikogosi race goes beyond competition, providing a platform to promote healthy living while placing the state on the global sporting map.

The organisers say the 27.5km marathon will feature over 5,000 athletes and participants. It will run through scenic routes in Ilawe, with the finishing point at the iconic Ikogosi Warm Springs resort in Ikogosi—Ekiti.

While assuring that his government would continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to make Ekiti a sports and tourism hub and describing the event as more than just a competition but a celebration of resilience, unity, and excellence that reflects the Ekiti spirit, the Governor urged residents to welcome visitors warmly and showcase the state’s culture, values, and peaceful atmosphere.

In his remarks, the initiator of the Ikogosi Marathon, Mr. Femi Abegunde, who commended Governor Oyebanji for his steadfast commitment to sports development in the State, noted that the Governor’s consistent support for sports and youth development, particularly the marathon reflects a broader vision to use athletics not just as recreation, but as a strategic platform for youth empowerment, economic growth, and state branding.

He stressed that the Governor’s leadership is gradually transforming the state into a vibrant destination for sports tourism in Nigeria.

He outlined the race’s prize structure, with elite winners set to receive ₦2 million, ₦1.5 million, and ₦1 million for first, second, and third places, respectively, while Indigenous athletes will be awarded prizes ranging from ₦1.5 million to ₦50,000 for the top six positions.

Also speaking, the Director General, Bureau of Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, who described the marathon as a strategic event that aligns with the government’s vision of using tourism and sports as tools for economic growth, noted that hosting such an event would not only attract visitors to the state but also stimulate business activities for hoteliers, transporters, artisans, and other service providers in the tourism value chain.