A group of international and local bikers, under the auspices of Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA), is on a tour of Nigeria’s heritage sites.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while officially welcoming the team on Monday in Abuja, assured the bikers of a wonderful time during their tour.

The minister noted that the quest to promote the cultural heritage of Nigeria to the outside world was yielding fruit.

“As you tour Nigeria under the `Rediscover Heritage Bikers tour of Nigeria’ and visit historical heritage sites, you beam a satellite on those sites for the world to see.

“Nigeria is truly a blessed Nation with world class heritage sites and we have also gone the extra mile to preserve them.

“You will see these heritage sites as you travel through our country which is rich culturally and diverse as a nation.

“After this tour, I urge you all to become Nigerian Heritage ambassadors by spreading news of the hidden treasures.’’

Sites to be visited by the bikers include museums, monuments and homes of National heroes, amongst others.

In his remarks, the Acting Director-General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Abdulkarim Kadir assured the bikers of a peaceful and hospitable stay in the country.

According to Kadir, the group will tour 11 states of the Federation to highlight the heritage sites, cultural assets and museums as well as the Osun Oshogbo World Heritage site.

“The aim of the tour is to rediscover Nigeria and its very rich cultural heritage.’’

“This expedition is intended to project the various heritage sites in Nigeria in a bid to draw attention to them to attract tourists and visitors.’’

The bikers embarking on the road trip are drawn from Nigeria, USA, Mexico, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Paraguay, Germany and Holland, amongst other countries.

President of the LAMA bikers, Mr Mario Nieves said that they were in the country “to explore the culture of Nigeria, learn about Nigeria and then tell the world about Nigeria’’.

“We believe it is more important to be human than different people from various races; at the end of the day, we are all one people.

“We are just a humble group of motorcyclists that decided to organise and create some type of impact in our society,’’ he said.

Nieves said his team had experienced the good manners and respectful nature of Nigerians, noting that they would share the good memories when they return to their respective countries.

-NAN

– Oct. 23, 2018 @ 08:59 GMT