The Isiko people of Obingwa Local Government Area, Sunday, held the maiden edition of Isiko Bicycle Race to make up for the 3rd edition Isiko day celebration that did not hold due to the menace of Covid-19 pandemic.
The event which is the first of its kind in the whole of Ukwa Ngwa Land, witnessed more than 60 bicycle riders, from Isiko village and environs, who got their bicycles ready to participate in the race while five lucky riders went home with one brand new bicycle each, after the above 60 riders took part in a raffle draw at the end of race.
According to the Chief organizer, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, the day which would have been the 3rd edition of Isiko day, was to give the people something to cheer about since they are expectant of what the day would bring.
Speaking on why they decided to go with bicycle Race, Mr. Appolos explained: “Bicycle is what everyone at Isiko is synonymous with and there’s no household that doesn’t have at least two bicycles and there’s no child of Isiko that doesn’t know how to ride bicycle. We’ve been riding bicycles before we started driving cars; we use bicyle to fetch firewoods, water, going to farm, harvest cassava, run errands among other things.”
He disclosed that with success of the event of the day, that the next edition of Isiko day, which is going to be a double barrel one, would incorporate bicycle race into the Isiko day celebration.
“Our target is that in the next few years to come, the whole world would come to Isiko to ride bicycle. This is the first time bicycle riding will be taking place in the whole Ukwa Ngwa and the first time that a community would be doing this. So we’re proud as Isiko people to be the first to champion this and we’ll remain champion in everything we do,” said Appolos.
He described the Isiko people as hardworking, honest and fearless, “Isiko people are honest people, we don’t betray trust. We’re loyal servants. If we decide to go with you, we do it without thinking twice. We respect people but we don’t fear to tell them the truth. We’re fearless. In a nutshell, Isiko people are loyal and hard-working people.”
Other participants in the Bicycle Race, including Mr Emenike Ubani, lecturer at Abia State University, Uturu and Mrs Ndidi Ukomadu described the day as fulfilling, noting that it brought so much fun memories on how they used to ride bicyles then.
Mrs Ukomadu, who was particularly elated to be riding a bicycle for the first time in about 25 years, said it was both a form of exercise and entertainment and called for its continuation.
ABIA ONLINE reports that highlight of the event was the presentation of certificate of ownership and license of the five bicycles to the respective winners while the Village Head of Isiko Elder Okoro Nwakanma, who was the oldest person to participate in the race, was among the five winners of the bicyles.
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