Eko Atlantic City, Nigeria’s premium rising smart city situated adjacent to Victoria Island has reaffirmed its pledge to drive tourism opportunities in Lagos State.
The city recently hosted thousands of runners representing countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Bahrain, Cameroon and Rwanda and many more at the 2nd edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which held in Lagos.
Abraham Kiptum, from Kenya, who was also the 2016 winner, emerged winner of the marathon with a time of two hours, 15 minutes and 20 seconds. Ronny Kipkoech Kiboss was the second place winner with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds while Kiprotich Kiroi won 3rd place, with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 28 seconds.
The race which commenced at the National Stadium Surulere, ended its finish line at Eko Atlantic with over 50,000 runners taking part in the event. “We are honored to partner with the Lagos State Government in welcoming athletes from all over the world says Mr. David Frame, Managing Director of South Energyx Nigeria Limited. “Eko Atlantic is rapidly developing as a prime tourist destination in Africa and we are inspired by the enthusiasm of the people of Lagos State as they came out en masse to take part in the marathon and also proudly supported the athletes.”
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, stated that the partnership with companies such as Access Bank, 7UP, Bet9ja and Eko Atlantic is a template the Lagos State government intends to replicate in various sports across board. “We are on a journey to reposition sports development in Lagos State. In this vein, we have ensured that we put in proactive measures that will encourage and challenge our athletes to excel.”
“We are focused on using sports to first drive inclusion and engagement of its citizens most especially the youths, and then tourism, arts and entertainment as the cornerstone and pillars of support of its social contract with Lagosians and the international community, he concluded.
The marathon commenced at the National Stadium Surulere with a route through such areas as Ojuelegba, Ikorodu, Oworonsoki, Third Mainland Bridge, Adeniji Adele and more. The finish line was situated at Eko Atlantic on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Eko Atlantic City is the single most ambitious and comprehensive mixed use development planned to come on stream in the West Africa sub-region in recent times. It is expected that the new city will be home to about 450,000 residents, with commuter volume expected to be about 300,000 people daily. Self-sufficient and sustainable, it includes state-of-the-art infrastructure, its own 24/7 power supply, portable water, advanced telecommunications, spacious roads and 110,000 trees.
Eko Atlantic is a planned mixed-use city located on reclaimed land adjacent to Victoria Island in Lagos. The project began in 2003 as a permanent solution to protect Bar Beach in Victoria Island from the effects of severe coastal erosion, and to safeguard Victoria Island from the threat of flooding.
