At least 15 Bikers clubs across West African countries under the auspices of West African Bikers, have converged in Akure, Ondo state capital for the Second Edition of bikers competition.
The competition which is the second edition and the first to be held in Nigeria, will run for four days.
The event was organised to promote regional integration will feature events like biking styles, safety precautions, public enlightenment among others, will hold between 28 April till May 2, 2016 in Ondo state.
Declaring the competition open, the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko noted that the game would go a long way to foster unity among West African states and will also boost the image of tourism development among members state.
Mimiko who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujinmi, said the choice of the state capital, Akure, as the host city of the event in Nigeria pointed to the infrastructural development put in place by the present administration saying there are various tourist attraction places the bikers could visit during the event.
He noted that the competition will also boost the image of sport in the state and Nigeria, saying the present administration in the state has greatly contributed to the development of sports in the last seven years
He said "Don't forget that our female soccer team, Sunshine Queens defeated other clubs from across Nigeria to emerge the Women FA Cup Champions last season. With this event coming up in Ondo State, more people, especially ladies will take interest in bike riding."
Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, who was also represented by Hassanu Dan-Amu assured that the ministry will support the next edition of the event to widen its scope of influence and said "we will see how we will involve the ECOWAS Commission from next edition, so that more people and countries will be involved."
The President of the host team, the Amazons Motorcycle Club, Nkanga Utibe-Abasi, popularly called Queen in biking circle, noted that this year's event will change the fortune of biking in Nigeria.
Utibe-Abasi said the choice of Akure as the host city of the event, was borne out of the infrastructural development of the state and its huge tourism potential.
She explained that the event will add value to the economy of the state "as we will lodge in hotels and that is more money to the state. We will buy local food and that is additional money to the state economy. We will buy so many souvenirs to take back to our various countries, which will go a long way in adding value to the economy of the state."
