By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Christoph Gocke |
World-renowned bicycle rider German bicycle rider Christoph Gocke has completed his 130,000-kilometre bicycle tour around the world at Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Gocke, with his well-documented cycling tours totaling over 125 since 1981, when he was 18 years old, He has rode bicycle from Abidjan to Badagry, making Nigeria his 120th country visited out of the 193 UN member states.
His travels to Badagry took him to historically significant places such as Elmina, Cape Coast, Accra, and other castles, ending his ride at Badagry museums with a rich history of slavery and European activities on the west African coastline.
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| Christoph Gocke and Viyon Awhanse |
He was received by a renowned filmmaker Viyon Awhanse and his team at the Seme border, the Nigerian border to Benin Republic, on Thursday.
Gocke, speaking with News Peddlers, said he received the best welcome in Badagry since his travels around the world, and this has further encouraged him to cycle more and has promised to visit Badagry again.
Gocke further said that the information at Badagry historical site is more detailed than most of the other historical sites on the West African coast, as it comprises pictures depicting European cruelty, accurate dating, and evidence of European activities in Badagry. "These informations are rich and emotional."
"How do you enjoy teaching and listening to this sad and emotional history of slavery?" Gocke asked the tour guard as he took him through the Badagry slave museum.
Viyon Awhanse, who organised the just-concluded Badagry International Film Festival, Which had over 2,000 attendees from various parts of the world, and has continued to train and engage as content creators, writers, production assistants, props managers, and art directors.
"I have been doing all I could to promote Badagry, its culture, and its historical richness. This is an opportunity to sell Badagry tourism and to let people know about the richness of Badagry history." Viyon said.
He further added that, for Gocke to have completed his 130,000 kilometres of cycling in Badagry. "This is a remarkable feat that has added another history to Badagry" and has suggested that the point should be proposed for Christoph Gocke's memorial centre, which will become another point of tourism in Badagry.
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