Skate Lagos 2025:A Showcase Of Talents And Triumph As Governor Sanwo-Olu Rewards Winners With Cash Awards

Emmanuel lkpeama 

It was another exciting sporting event on Tuesday May 27, 2025 at the National Stadium, Lagos, as the second edition of Skate Lagos wrapped up in celebration of new talents with cash prizes worth over N2million.

The annual event, which was to mark Children’s Day 2025, was themed: “Lagos Rocking Future Stars”, attracting large numbers of professional skaters, coaches and spectators across Lagos and beyond as this year’s edition was different as it attracted foreigners attending the event.

The event which attracted the likes of the State Governor,Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was ably represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development,Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende,was a demonstration of the affirmation of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration to give youths in the state a platform to excel to the world of sports.

Investigator news reports that the Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Grassroot Empowerment,Hon. Kehinde Bakare,(Sports)Hon. Oluwadamilare Orimoloye,(Wealth Creation)Hon. (Amb.) Tijani Saheed,(Sports Marketing and Management)Hon. Onaopepo Adu,as well as Hon.Toyin Aremu (Transportation) and Hon.Ruth Lijirin graced the event.

In his welcome address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroot Sports Development,Mr. Atewogboye Adebanji Adeoye said that the event was part of the ways of achieving the T.H.E.M.E.S plus agenda of the governor with the hope that future Stars would emerge from the grassroots level to represent the state in international sports competitions.

He went further to urge the participants to make good use of the event in showcasing their talents as the governor has agreed to give the youth a brighter future in sports activities.

“Through the efforts of Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s sponsorship, we have represented Lagos well in the International Skate-a-Thon in Calabar 2025, Gateway Games 2025 and achieved medals and cash prizes in a thrilling spectacle performances. We are also set to participate in another competition in Ijebu, Ogun State”. He said

The Senior Aide also added that one of the best ways to engage youths in grassroots is through competitions to identify talents.

The Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Mobalaji Ogunlende commended Hon Skibanj for initiatives in developing talents through skating and other sporting activities in Lagos State.

He called on the youths to abstain from drug abuse, trafficking and embrace sports with a view to becoming healthy and wealthy, noting that Lagos will continue to adopt strategies that will curb drug abuse among the youths population and take them off the streets.

” In line with the Theme Plus Agenda of his Excellency,Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu,my administration will continue to give total support to the youths in all self reliance program in the state”

 

” I stood resolute in my commitment to bolster the growth and development of youths and sports in Lagos, once again I want to say that Hon Skibanj has done marvelously well and we will continue to support this kind of programs and to crown it all, today is children’s day celebration and we have discovered raw talents in this kids that have showcased their skills, which shows that Lagos is an embodiment of raw talents, truly Lagos is working ” he stated.

Speaking with investigator news,the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroot Sports,Hon Kehinde Bolaji Bakare called on the government to concentrate more on grassroot programs as it would bring job solution to so many teeming youths, while calling on private sectors to always support government initiatives and programs so that the youths can develop the state and the country at large.

Hon Bakare commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and Hon Skibanj for giving the children the opportunity to go into skating

” Today is children’s day and instead of Hon Skibanj giving the children rice and chicken,he came up with this idea,sold it to the Governor and today they are empowering and encouraging young talents so as to secure a better future through skating “Bakare stated.

Hon (Amb) Tijani Saheed Oluwadare, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Wealth Creation stated that the event which is the second edition is a welcome development as it an opportunity of tapping the raw talents from the cradle.

Hon Saheed appeal to the Governor to make it an annual event and also ensure it is spread across the 57 local government area so as to discover more talents that would represent the state at the National and international level.

“This initiative is commendable and I want to sincerely appreciate the SSA on grassroot sports development for coming up with such initiative in trying to bring out the hidden talents in our children”

” I also want to appeal to the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to make this event an annual event and ensure that it spreads across the 57 local government we have in the state.

“Also assist in releasing more funds into sports so as to encourage this kind of sports as it will make more younger people attention to be diverted from crime, criminality,drugs into a meaningful engagement that would eventually add to the economic, peace and tranquility of the state and society at large.”he submitted.

One of the guest at the occasion, Evang. Damola Ogunlan appreciated the State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the SSA, Hon Skibanj for such initiative and programs to the youths, stating that this would keep them busy from engaging in crime and drugs abuse.

Coach Emmanuel Chikezie of Wondrous movers skaters applauded the state government for the initiative, noting that such program would encourage the children to excel.

He said that the Skaters association has been neglected for years but thank God that they are recognized today with empowerment by the State Governor through the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroot Sports,Hon Adebanji.

” I feel excited and happy that members of my team won most of the medals e”specially the Overall winner went to a member of my club. I am grateful to the state government for this initiative and we need more of such programs.”he said

Investigator news gathered that among the elated participants who took part in the event were the overall Speed Skating Senior Male category, Abiodun Adeniran with tag number 259 winning N250,000 thousand and the overall Speed Skating Senior Female category, Kadejo Arafat Adaeze with tag number 373 took home N250,000 thousand expressed their appreciations to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his senior aide, Mr. Atewogboye Adebanji

The second runner up, Segun Oguntade and third runner up, Omotayo Gideon (213) in the male category were presented N150,000 and N50,000 cheques respectively while in the female category, Onitimire Bukola (255) and Rosea Sayi (364) smiled home with another N150,000 and N50,000 respectively.

In the free jump for female adult final Category, ThankGod Emmanuella (winner) took N50,000, Nimot Hassan (1st runner up) and Rosemary David were presented N30,000 and N10,000 cheques.

Free jump for male adult final included Omene Daniel (winner) N50,000, Smart Emmanuel (1st runner up) N30,000 and Igangan Samuel (2nd runner up) N10,000.

Other categories were speed skating female kids where the winner (tag no 288) went home with N50,000, second runner up (tag no 283) earned N30,000 and third runner up (tag no 304) N10,000.

In the speed skating male kids tag number 326 won N50,000, tag number 278 went home with N30,000 and tag number 305 was encouraged with N10,000.

In the speed salom (female adult), tag number 373 earned N50,000, tag number 218 was gifted N30,000 and tag number 344 went home with N10,000