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Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Organizers Set For Press Parley To Herald 2020 Edition

Published

6 years ago

November 25, 2019

Access Bank Lagos City Marathon: Organisers set for press parley to herald 2020 edition

There are indications that organisers of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will on Wednesday (November 27) hold a world press conference to unveil their plans for the 2020 edition of the annual race.

It was gathered that the press parley which is expected to take place at Bagauda Kaltho Hall in Alausa, Ikeja will officially detail the innovations in place for the 5^th edition of the international race.

The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was recently upgraded by the world athletics body to a Silver Label; less than five years after its maiden edition.

The annual race is unarguably the biggest one-day event in Africa from its inception in 2015 and it has been organized according to the standard of IAAF, the world governing body for athletics.

In an interview with Olukayode Thomas, Head Communications and Media for the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, he revealed that arrangements are in top gear to have another spectacular race for 2020.

“Yes, we will be having a presence conference on Wednesday but strictly based on invitation to intimate the media on our plans for the 2020 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon,” he said.

“It is always important to carry the media along in our plans as they have been our partners right from the first edition up until now”

From the over 50,000 participants that took part in the first edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, over 100,000 took part in the most recent edition that took place in February 2019 and much more are expected for the 2020 race.

The organisers are positive that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will be awarded a Gold Label after the 2020 edition.

Assurances have already been given that the next race will meet and even surpass the required standards in terms of the number of elite athletes, equipment, road closure, security, media engagement and other requirements that must be satisfied to merit a Gold Label.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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