The Third Mainland Bridge, spanning the Lagos lagoon, serves as a vital link between Lagos Island and the mainland, boasting the title of Africa’s longest bridge until 1996. This iconic structure, connecting Oworonshoki to the Apapa-Oshodi and Lagos-Ibadan expressways, has unfortunately also been a notorious spot for suicide attempts in Lagos, prompting continuous police patrols along its expanse.
On March 30th, 2024, Dare Samuel Akinrodoye, popularly known as Coach Dreh, achieved a remarkable feat by swimming 11.8km across the Third Mainland Bridge in an impressive time of 2 hours and 33 minutes. His endeavor was not merely a personal challenge but a mission to raise awareness and campaign against suicide and depression.
In recognition of his courageous feat and noble cause, Lagos State Governor, Governor Sanwo-Olu, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Monday, April 8th, to congratulate Coach Dreh. In his tweet, Governor Sanwo-Olu praised Coach Dreh’s dedication to making a difference both in and out of the water, highlighting the significance of his cause and commending his strength and resilience, which embody the spirit of Lagos.
