Abuja on Saturday played host to 150 cyclists to raise awareness to end poverty and hunger, among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria correspondent reports that the competition which began at 10 a.m, from the Unity Fountain in Maitama, is tagged: “Racing for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
Femi Akunji, the president of Dapper Exclusive Style, organisers of the event, told the News Agency of Nigeria that N2.2 million worth of gifts are up for grabs.
He said the event was in partnership with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria.
Mr Akunji said the event was an exclusive awareness campaign aimed at promoting 13 out of the 17 goals of the SDGs through cycling sports and making Nigerians to embrace the culture of cycling.
“We are tying cycling to the SDGs and we are trying to see how we can boost the sports in Nigeria and also use it to create awareness.
“We want to see how we can use cycling to eradicate poverty through the `blender and service delivery’ bicycle,’’ he said.
Mr Akunji said with the blender bicycle, husband and wife could actually generate income for the family.
“We have two bicycles there, one has a blender and the other is a delivery service bicycle.
“We are looking at where a husband and wife gets this bicycle and as the wife is grounding the husband does to the city for delivery services,’’ he said.
Mr Akunji said that while the family would be making money, they are also keeping fit to remain healthy.
He said taking cycling as a profession was another way of making money to make people self reliance.
Mr Akunji said that the they are looking at 2030 to achieved the SDGs goals.
He said that the athletes would take part in three categories, professional, the veterans and the cycling enthusiast.
He said the professionals would race 74 km while the veterans and the cycling enthusiast would cover 34 km.
Mr Akunji said the event would also create awareness on climate change and sustainable cities.
He said if more people used bicycle, it would reduce the pressure on our roads thereby reducing the cost of maintenance.
Mr Akunji said that an average car weights 1500km while the bicycle weights about 15km.
NAN
