Ten of Nigeria’s brightest young athletes have received a big boost in their journey for success. Parallex Bank rewarded each of them with N1 million for their great performances at the 2025 National Youth Games. Team Lagos won the overall championship for the first time in this competition's history.
The award ceremony took place at Parallex Bank’s office in Lagos. It brought together the athletes, their parents, officials from the Lagos State Sports Commission, bank executives, and other important people to celebrate a partnership aimed at helping young people grow through sports.
The athletes represented Lagos at the Under-15 National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State. They were chosen for their amazing medal-winning performances. The stars include gymnast Stephanie Onusiriuka, swimmers Dumuje Aidan, Ibidapo Tofunmi, Hafsat Kazeem, Mariam Mohammed, Megbodofo Teminijesu, and Timilehin Olaiya, cyclist Ashiru Ibrahim, hard-of-hearing athlete Fabowale Akorede, and tennis player Emmanuel Bright. Their achievements helped Lagos win the overall title.
While presenting the awards, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Parallex Bank, Olufemi Bakre, said this gesture is an investment in Nigeria’s future champions, not just a reward for what they have done.
“Today is not just about celebrating medals. It is about celebrating excellence,” Bakre said. “We believe that investing in young people is one of the best ways to shape their future. Our purpose is to enable limitless possibilities, and that is why we are giving one million naira to each of these outstanding athletes as a token of appreciation for their hard work and commitment.”
He added that this initiative shows the bank’s belief that excellence should be recognized early and often. “This gesture is beyond a reward. It is an investment in their future and a reminder that excellence never goes unnoticed. To our young champions, today is not your final destination. It is the beginning of an even greater journey. Continue to dream boldly, continue to work hard, and continue to inspire your generation.”
Mr Bakre also praised the Lagos State Sports Commission for creating a place where young athletes can shine. He noted that the bank is happy to partner with the commission to support the next generation of champions.
For the Lagos State Sports Commission, this recognition goes beyond just giving money to great athletes. Officials said it strengthens the commission’s long-term goal of building a solid sports system that finds talent early. They want to offer clear pathways for development and create chances for young athletes to compete and succeed at national and international levels.
The Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, called the partnership with Parallex Bank a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together. “This is one of the best examples of corporate social responsibility because it focuses on developing human capacity. It helps young people unlock their limitless possibilities while reinforcing the values of discipline, excellence, and resilience that sports instills,” he said.
Mr Fatodu mentioned that the commission’s approach matches international standards by connecting grassroots participation to top-level performance. “When Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave us this task, the goal was clear. Build a lasting sports development system, create chances for young people, and work with organizations that share that vision. We took over 400 young athletes to the National Youth Games in 2025, and for the first time in history, Lagos became overall champions. That success shows what can happen when policy, planning, and partnerships come together.”
The event also allowed parents to show their support for Lagos’ sports development plans. Speaking for the parents, Timilehin Olaiya said the recognition sends a strong message to young athletes that their efforts are appreciated beyond the sports world.
“My son told me he was excited that organizations outside sports are recognizing the sacrifices athletes make. That tells you how much this means to these children. Thank you for nurturing talent and creating a legacy that will last beyond this generation.”
This initiative highlights the growing role of private sector support in helping the government with youth and sports development. Under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos has improved grassroots sports programs, boosted school sports participation, and restructured the Lagos State Sports Commission to focus on athlete development and partnerships.
The teamwork between Parallex Bank and the Lagos State Sports Commission shows how corporate investment and public policy can come together to create lasting chances for young athletes and strengthen sports development in Nigeria.
Drop your comment
No comments yet — be the first to drop the gist 👇