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Adventurer and anti-polio campaigner Olatunji Okedeyi says the most defining aspect of his multi-country cycling journey across Europe and West Africa has not been the distance covered but the people encountered along the way.
Speaking on his ongoing “#EmmaRidesForZeroPolio” mission, Okedeyi explained that many of those he met on the road were unaware of polio until his arrival.
“The most important memorable aspect of it is the people I’ve met on the road, people who haven’t even have idea that polio actually exists,” he said.
According to him, the journey has become as much about education as it is about endurance, with conversations helping communities understand the disease and its impact on children.
“We’ve been able to discuss about polio… and they’ve been able to also do some research about what polio means and also the impact on the children,” he added.
Okedeyi also noted that support from individuals and organisations has been a key motivation, highlighting donations and engagement from health advocates, including Rotary members encountered across multiple countries.
Now in the Benin Republic, on what he described as the final stretch before entering Nigeria, the cyclist reflected on the risks and challenges faced during the journey, including near-miss incidents on the road, and expressed gratitude for his safety so far.
He stressed that the campaign’s central goal remains the eradication of polio, warning that continued spread leaves children at risk globally.
“If polio is not eradicated, none of our children are actually safe,” he said.
Okedeyi is expected to arrive in Lagos as part of the ride’s concluding phase, where he will continue his advocacy efforts and engage with stakeholders to strengthen polio awareness and prevention campaigns.
He is also scheduled to meet Nigeria’s ambassador in the Republic and receive recognition as a polio champion, marking a key milestone in his cross-border campaign.
