* I PRESENTED IT FOR KEEPS IN NATIONAL MUSEUM
* TO TREK FROM JOS TO LAGOS FOR SYMBOLIC PRESENTATION
Okwuta Audu, Jos
Aliyu Abdullahi Obobo who rode a bicycle from Jos, Plateau State, to Saudi Arabia between February 2021 to December 2022 had said he has no regret for turning down the 200,000 Riyal (about N40 million) offered for the bicycle in Saudi Arabia.
He said preferred the bicycle to be kept in Nigerian museum as a national monument for the unborn children to grow up and connect with the history, and to also be able to see the bicycle that was used to make the history.
Therefore, he said, he decided to rather have the bicycle kept and to hand it over to the winner of the February 2023 Nigerian Presidential election for onward deposit in the museum.
Obobo who hailed from Nassarawa State however noted that he has received many praises, well wishes and warm welcome from people for his feat, and that it was at such function in Saudi Arabia that one Egyptian pilgrim offered to pay him 200,000 Riyal for the bicycle.Makarem Ajyad Makkah Hotel.
Addressing newsmen on Wednessday in Jos, he said bringing the bicycle back to Nigeria to be kept in the museum is as a result of his deep patriotism and love for his country, adding that his reason for the pilgrimage was for spiritual fulfilment and not for monetary gains.
He further explained that he will be embarking on foot from Jos to Lagos to commence the process of handing over the motorcycle to the Nigerian government for onward keep in the museum. According to him, the take of time is 3pm this Friday from 1st Gate in Dadinkowa area of Jos South.
Obobo said upon his arrival to Nigeria from the Holy Land and hosting in Lagos, the bicycle was then left in custody of Chairman of Kosofe local government area, Moyosore Ogunlewe.
He thanked the Lagos State officials and the Hausa community in Lagos for playing crusial role in his home-coming, adding that upon his arrival in Lagos he will liaise with the leaders for further activities.
Explaining why he embarked on the journey from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia with bicycle, he said it was out of his love for the Islamic faith, the Holy Prophet (Mohammed) and his desire to perform the pilgrimage in his lifetime, but that he could not afford the fare and other expenses involved.
He said he traversed three countries before arriving Saudi Arabia, namely Niger, Chad and Sudan, adding that he did not initially had visa to Saudi Arabia and that he had so stay in Sudan for some months to get his visa fixed for him by the Nigerian ambassador to Sudan before proceeding.
Obobo said his pilgrimage eventually turned much more eventful and fulfilling, even more than many privileged people who went with ease, because the news of his adventure got him a hero’s welcome and as a result he got a special treatment and went to wherever he needed to go to in Saudi Arabia and during the course of the pilgrimage.
He said on during his journey, he came across many wild animals but God protected him, and that he equally came across Boko Haram but they did not harm him.
He said members of the Boko Haram said they heard about his adventure in the news, and only requested water from him, after which they directed him on the right path to follow.
Inserted pictures are that of Aliyu Abdullahi Obobo, and then that of him and in company of others (in Nigeria as well as in Saudi Arabia)
Kwararafa Reporters 