The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to using grassroots sports to promote public health, improve mental wellbeing, combat drug abuse and encourage youth development through its support for two endurance sporting initiatives under Project 226.
The initiatives, an extreme triathlon from Osun State to Lagos by sports enthusiast and swimming coach Dare Akinrodoye, popularly known as Coach Dreh, and a long-distance run from Abuja to Lagos by Olufemi Oshinubi, were announced at a joint press conference organised by the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) at its office in Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The press conference featured the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Director-General of the LSSC, Lekan Fatodu, who highlighted the role of sports in promoting healthy lifestyles, empowering young people and addressing social challenges.
Fatodu said the state government remained committed to identifying, encouraging and supporting sporting talents, stressing that young people with exceptional abilities should be given opportunities to develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
He described sports as an effective instrument for youth empowerment, social mobilisation and national development, noting that the initiatives demonstrated how individual sporting ambitions could be transformed into platforms for public enlightenment and positive social change.
Similarly, Ogunlende expressed satisfaction with the abilities demonstrated by young Nigerians across various sporting disciplines, stating that the government had a responsibility to nurture their talents and create opportunities for them to excel.
The commissioner recalled meeting Akinrodoye more than a year ago following his swimming feat at the Third Mainland Bridge. He said he subsequently introduced the athlete to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to bring his achievements and advocacy efforts to the attention of the state government.
Ogunlende reiterated the government’s readiness to support promising talents and encourage young people to become worthy ambassadors of Lagos State and Nigeria through their chosen careers and sporting pursuits.
He also stressed the importance of raising awareness about mental health and ensuring that people experiencing emotional difficulties receive appropriate support. He added that sustained advocacy was necessary to address drug abuse and its consequences for individuals and communities.
Akinrodoye’s Project 226 Extreme Triathlon Challenge is scheduled to commence on November 15, 2026, with the event expected to begin at Owan Dam in Osogbo, Osun State, and end at JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The challenge will comprise a 3.8-kilometre swim at Owan Dam, followed by a 180-kilometre cycling journey from the dam to the Sagamu Interchange, and a 42.2-kilometre run from the interchange to JJT Park.
The combined distances amount to 226 kilometres, with the entire endurance challenge expected to last approximately 17 to 18 hours.
Speaking at the press conference, Akinrodoye said the initiative was designed not only to achieve a personal sporting milestone but also to use athletics as a platform for communicating important messages to young people and encouraging healthier lifestyle choices.
“I am not just an athlete or a swimming coach; I am also a mental-health advocate who uses sports for development to pass a message,” he said.
He explained that the triathlon would draw attention to mental wellbeing and demonstrate how sporting activities could be used to inspire young people, promote resilience and encourage positive social behaviour.
Meanwhile, Oshinubi announced plans for a 21-day long-distance running campaign from Abuja to Lagos to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and encourage young people to make informed and responsible decisions.
He disclosed that his advocacy initiative began in 2024 and included a sensitisation run from Ibadan to Lagos, which provided a foundation for expanding his campaign to reach more communities.
According to him, the proposed Abuja-to-Lagos run is intended to sustain public awareness of substance abuse and encourage broader conversations about its effects on individuals, families and society.
Oshinubi said long-distance running offered an opportunity to engage communities, communicate social messages and encourage young people to channel their energy into productive activities.
The two initiatives reflect the Lagos State Government’s efforts to harness sports beyond competition by connecting physical activity with public health education, mental health awareness, drug-abuse prevention and youth empowerment.
Through its support for the projects, the government seeks to encourage individuals with exceptional sporting abilities to use their talents to inspire others and contribute to social development across Lagos State and Nigeria.
