As preparations continue for the 2025 MASA Isonyin Marathon, prominent rice merchant, APC stalwart, and respected Ijebu Igbo businesswoman, Chief Mrs. Ibilola Solaja (popularly known as Madam Jumlar) has thrown her weight behind the event by sponsoring the top prize for the women’s category.
Her support marks a major boost to the highly anticipated race, scheduled for August 23 in Isonyin, Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of Ogun State. The event is steadily gaining attention as one of the region’s most transformative sports projects.
Themed “Running for Exposure,” the marathon aims to uncover emerging athletic talent while promoting health, unity, and community growth. Organised by the MASA Foundation under the leadership of Dr. Muideen Adegboyega Salami (MASA), the race will host over 2,500 runners, with prizes totalling nearly ₦10 million. Winners in both male and female categories will take home ₦1.5 million each.
Chief Solaja said her sponsorship aligns with the broader vision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to elevate sports as a tool for national development.
“As a loyal party member, I am proud to key into the renewed hope reforms being championed by President Tinubu. Sports is finally getting the attention it deserves, and I’m happy to support initiatives that directly impact youth and women,” she said.
On choosing to fund the women’s prize, she added: “I wanted to encourage more girls to see themselves as worthy of recognition. Female athletes often face greater hurdles, and this is my way of telling them: your dreams are valid.”
Widely known as one of the nation’s leading bulk rice dealers, Madam Jumlar’s commitment to the marathon reflects her broader passion for youth empowerment and community development.
“Sport helps young people stay focused, build discipline, and believe in themselves. We must continue to use it as a positive force,” she said, while urging others to support the initiative.
With the APC administration prioritising sports in its reform agenda—evident in the revival of the National Sports Commission and the appointment of Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade as Chairman and Director General respectively—events like the Isonyin Marathon are joining a growing wave of impactful sporting programmes across Nigeria.
Ogun State, in particular, has become a hub of national and international sporting activities, and the Isonyin Marathon is proudly contributing to this momentum.
Dr. Salami praised Chief Solaja’s gesture as both strategic and inspiring. “She’s not just sponsoring a prize—she’s investing in dreams. Her support sends a strong message to every young girl that she belongs in this space,” he said.
He noted that the marathon’s mission goes beyond competition. “We are building a culture of community pride and excellence. It’s about inclusion, visibility, and creating opportunities.”
Now in its second edition, the Isonyin Marathon is emerging as a premier event on Nigeria’s athletic calendar, welcoming elite runners, first-timers, and fitness enthusiasts in a celebration of sport and community development.