By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Doris Gomba Obarine |
LAGOS, Nigeria — In a remarkable display of physical endurance and emotional grit, Nigerian actress and advocate Doris Gomba Obarine has successfully completed a 27-day solo trek from Ghana to Lagos. Crossing three West African borders on foot, Obarine embarked on this grueling journey to spotlight the systemic neglect of orphans and to "stand out" in her quest for societal change.
The expedition, which spanned Ghana, Togo, and the Republic of Benin, was born out of Obarine’s personal history. As an orphan herself, the Ahmadu Bello University graduate understands the vulnerability that follows the loss of parents.
"I know what it means to face the world alone," Obarine shared in an exclusive interview. "Many orphans abandon their dreams the moment their parents are buried. I wanted to show them that their story doesn't have to end in despair."
A Journey of 27 Days: Borders, Barriers, and Bravery
The trek was a test of logistics and willpower. Obarine spent eight days traversing Ghana, five days in Togo, and a challenging 14 days in the Republic of Benin before reaching the Nigerian border.
The Language Barrier: In Francophone Togo and Benin, Obarine who does not speak French relied on translation apps and sign language to navigate.
Security & Loneliness: Walking through remote, bushy terrains, she faced moments of deep fear. "There were times I almost gave up," she admitted. "But I told myself, ‘If I perish, I perish.’ There was no going back."
The Economic Toll: The journey was self-funded and financially draining. Between high hotel costs and the plummeting value of the Naira against the CFA franc, Obarine faced significant "financial pressure" at border crossings and for daily essentials like internet data to document her progress.
Beyond the Walk: A Voice for the Fatherless
While the trek was partially a move to gain visibility for her decade-long acting career, Obarine insists the heart of the project is orphan advocacy. Having lost her father at 41 and her mother at 40, she recalled the pain of losing a UK scholarship because she lacked the funds to bridge the gap after her parents' passing.
During her journey, she visited orphanages in Benin to donate supplies and offer words of hope. Her goal is to move beyond the "foundation" of the walk toward establishing skills acquisition programs for fatherless children across West Africa.
Defying the Guinness World Record Silence
The trek was originally intended to be a sanctioned Guinness World Record attempt. However, after waiting over a year for a response from the organization, Obarine decided to proceed independently.
"I had to prove to them, and to myself, that I could do this with or without a title," she stated. Her resilience has since earned her a modest but hero-like reception in Lagos, organized by her mentors and supporters.
The Road Ahead
Now back in Nigeria, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) member and Theatre Arts graduate looks toward the future. While she continues to pursue her dream of acting alongside idols like Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson, her priority remains the children she walked for.
"If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will," Obarine concluded. "The walk was just the beginning. The real work is giving these children a future."