By Olanrewaju Agiri
It is no longer news that Sulaimon Taofikat Morenikeji emerged as the winner of the 200m women’s final with a time of 24:06s in the just-concluded MTN CHAMPS Athletics Grand Finale held at the ultra-modern Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan.
It was interesting seeing her compete and dominate the experienced national athletics stars who have represented Nigeria at a global stage.
This victory is also coming after another impressive performance at the African and World University Games in Ghana and Germany last year, respectively.
*How it all began.*
Sulaimon Taofikat was discovered in 2017 during the first edition of the Lagelu FM Inter secondary school relay, as narrated by the Chairman of Oyo State Athletic Association whose responsibility is to identify and develop talents rest on.
Interestingly, he’s also a proprietor of a prominent private secondary school, Brightville College, that is also participating in the competition. “I met a young girl at the gate of the University of Ibadan sports complex (venue of the event) crying profusely. I enquired to know what it was all about but was surprisingly told that the then governor, late Abiola Ajimobi (may his soul rest in perfect peace), ordered all public schools to withdraw from the competition due to some political reasons, as the event was being sponsored by the then candidate of the People’s Democrats Party, PDP, who was perceived as a political opponent to the then governor,” said Dr Isaac Ogada.
He explained further that the girl, a junior (JSS2) student of Abadina Grammar School, University of Ibadan, was not willing to go back to school, affirming her determination to showcase her talent.
“At that point, I took a very crucial decision. I declared from there that she has been awarded a scholarship to continue her education in my school for free. That decision, together with my support and that of the coaches of the Oyo State Sports Council led by Coach Emilia Oyase, culminated in what we are celebrating today.”
She went on to emerge as one of the brightest talents in the events for four consecutive years. Taofikat went ahead to represent Oyo State in the National Youth Games event and won a bronze medal in the 100m final in 2019 and 2021, as well as a long jump and relay medal finish.
She also won many laurels for her school, Brightville College, in many invitational athletics competitions, including the Value Jet Southwest Relay Meet at the Remo International Stadium, Sagamu, Ogun State, where she anchored the team to gold with a remarkable time of 42.80s in the 4x100m event, comprising Ali Damilola, Kazeem Rokibat and Babalola Barakat, forming the fastest secondary school relay quartet in Oyo State and Southwest Nigeria as well as other Southwest secondary school relay races in Ekiti, Ibadan and Lagos.
She also participated in the NSSF World Schools Athletics Trials. She dominated secondary school inter-house sports competitions in Oyo State and beyond, and her consistency made the Lagelu FM Relay race organiser name her the Lagelu FM Ambassador.
Through the efforts of Emilia Oyase, the head of the Oyo Athletics Association, along with her coach, she gained admission to study human kinetics at the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti. There, she pursued her ambition for improved athletic performance, representing her university in various competitions, including NUGA, WAUG, AUG, and WUGA, and achieving notable success.
It should be noted that Sulaimon Taofikat is also a very brilliant student; she enjoyed a scholarship at Brightville College throughout her stay and came out with excellent academic results while also improving in her athletic talents.
“I thank God I was able to invest in her, as the outcome is worth celebrating,” Ogada noted, adding, “I want to sincerely appreciate Gov. Seyi Makinde and the management of Lagelu FM for providing this wonderful opportunity during the Lagelu FM Inter Secondary School Relay Race. My sincere appreciation goes to the Oyo State Sports Council; the coaches led by Coach Emilia Oyase, who provided technical and professional support; not forgetting Coach Raji Ismael, Coach Akin, and Coach Yakubu Olayiwola, as well as our powerful secretary, Mrs Gbemi Tabi.”
“To the staff, parents and students of Brightville College who encouraged her, I am grateful. Not forgetting journalists like Dare Esan, Olanrewaju Agiri, Kenny Ogunmiloro, Blessing Fowowe, Adewale Tijani, Eniola Afolabi, Ibiwumi Ishola and many others too numerous to mention for their big contributions.”
