Bikers Tour will promote Brand Nigeria worldwide – Saraki

The Senate President Bukola Saraki says the Rediscover Heritage Bikers tour of 11 states will promote the Nigerian Brand around the world.

Saraki, who was represented by Mrs Fatima Raji-Rasaki, Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, said this at the inauguration of the International Bikers Tour on Tuesday in Abuja.

“This event is certain to become iconic, as it avails local and international bike riders the opportunity to tour some of the most remarkable heritage sites in Nigeria.

“It is an avenue for the Riders to combine passion with a great public good; to promote museum culture in Nigeria and to spread awareness about the over 2,000 years’ tradition of arts, crafts and artefacts.’’

He said the treasures of the many vibrant and diverse cultures of the nation deserved to be better known and the tour would fulfil the purpose.

President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Nigeria welcomed the bikers in line with the ambition to make tourism a veritable earner for the Nation.

He said it was a laudable initiative birthed by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and First Entertainment Company.

Similarly, FCT Minister Muhammad Bello, represented by Ms Cerie Joga, Acting Director, of FCT Archives and History Bureau said the project was the first of its kind in the history of NCMM.

“As Nigeria moves away from a monolithic economy to more diversified sources of revenue, there is need for us to exploit the abundant tourism potentials, especially our national heritage sites in order to attract foreign investments to our country.
“As we set out on this great tourism exploit, I salute the courage and commitment of the Bikers and other participants in this epoch-making tour,’’ Bello said.

The Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) bikers are citizens of different nations including Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico and South Africa, among others.

The bikers are scheduled to tour museums, monuments and heritage sites in Abuja as well as 10 States namely Anambra, Cross River, Edo, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Rivers.

Acting Director-General, NCMM, Abdulkerim Kadiri, thanked the President for his clear vision in making revenue generation through tourism one of the focal points of his administration.

Kadiri also thanked the First Entertainment Company, Lumazio Production and Entertainment, Jordan FM, Federal Inland Revenue Service and others present, including the media, for supporting the laudable event.