AN ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR AKINWUNMI AMBODE AT THE 2017 ACCESS BANK LAGOS CITY MARATHON ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2017
PROTOCOLS
Today’s successful completion of the 2nd edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon marks another leg of our dreams and aspiration to make Lagos the destination of Sports in Africa.
We cannot but acknowledge the presence of Athletics Federation Presidents from other Countries, elite Athletes from four (4) Continents, fifteen (15) Countries and participation of close to 50,000 Athletes. This mind blowing attendance underscores our determination to occupy a prime place in the Marathon Calendar worldwide and ultimately to be among the top ten Marathon races in the World.
On the local front, our deliberate and conscious provision for outstanding Nigeria athletes remain consistent. We shall ensure that we continue to put in place proactive measures that will encourage and challenge them to excel. Interest and participation of thousands of Nigerians in this marathon is inspiring but more importantly is the foundational infrastructure to put us on the world map.
We are hugely encouraged by the local participation, which coincide with our mission on the Marathon. Let me reiterate that our collaboration with Access Bank Plc, Seven Up Bottling Company, Bet Naija and Eko Atlantic City is a template we intend to replicate in various sports across board.
Beyond this, Sports remains a very important and integral part of the vision of this Administration. Using Sports to first drive inclusion and engagement of the citizenry most especially the youths, and then Tourism, Arts and Entertainment as the cornerstone and pillars of support of our social contract with Lagosians and the international community.
In support of this, we have put in place a structured process of providing additional sports infrastructure in the various Zones of the State. The target here is to ensure that no child is denied the opportunity of interaction with sports as early as possible in life while potential for career in sports can be identified for proper development.
We are on a journey to reposition Sports in this State and no stone would be left unturned in this pursuit. In this regard, we shall continue to explore and attract regional, continental and global sports events to drive home our mission.
Our commitment to continue to support our Youth in Sports Development is resolute, a part that we cannot depart from. The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is a testimony to this avowed commitment.
I thank you immensely for your attendance and let us do it again next year – Saturday, 10th February, 2018.
ITESIWAJU IPINLE EKO LOJE WA LOGUN
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode
Governor of Lagos State,
11th February, 2017.
