The Oyo State Government is poised to make a historic entry into the Guinness Book of Records, the Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Toyin Balogun, disclosed on Monday.
She said the government would back an attempt by an Ibadan-based cyclist, Ebaide Joy, who would embark on a record-breaking motorcycle journey across 12 African countries in July.
According to the commissioner, the mission would not only challenge the Guinness World Record for the longest solo ride by a female biker, currently at 30,000 kilometres but also provide life-changing vocational training for 18 orphaned girls with a similar background of growing up in orphanage institutions in Nigeria like Joy.
In a statement on Monday, the commissioner said the feat, officially approved by the Guinness World Records, has the full support of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
According to her, the aim was to empower vulnerable girls and amplify the voices of African women on the global stage.
‘Ebaide Joy is a daring female motorcyclist and philanthropist who is set to embark on a record-breaking motorcycle journey across 12 African countries’, Balogun said.
The commissioner pledged institutional backing for Ebaide’s mission and described her initiative as one that dovetails neatly with the ministry’s core mandate for the sustainable empowerment and alleviation of poverty from vulnerable demographics.
She added that the ministry, with the backing of Governor Seyi Makinde, would be delighted to support the training and post-graduation empowerment of the 18 beneficiaries.
‘Once these girls complete their training, the ministry will work with your team to provide startup grants and equipment to ensure they achieve sustainable livelihoods’, the commissioner said.
‘This is more than a just record-breaking adventure or an adrenaline-chasing venture. It’s a symbol of the resilience, courage, and commitment to breaking glass ceilings of the female demographic’, the commissioner added.
Ebaide’s solo journeys are filmed with a camera mounted on her motorcycle, showcasing not only the gruelling physical demands of the journey but also the stories of the people she meets along the way.
Ebaide described her travels as the ‘highlight of her life’, noting that the adrenaline, purpose, and mission fuel her resolve even in moments of exhaustion.
Her upcoming trip, beginning in July 2025, is expected to last three months.
Upon her return to Nigeria, Ebaide plans to host a graduation ceremony for the empowered girls, marking a new chapter in their lives and continuing her mission of impact through adventure.
She said her journey is not just about breaking a record.
‘It’s about breaking cycles of poverty. I grew up an orphan, and I understand the struggles and vulnerabilities they face.
‘This journey is not just about breaking a record; it’s about breaking cycles of poverty’, Ebaide told the commissioner and other officials during her visit.
She said the programme would empower 18 orphaned girls with three months of intensive vocational training in tailoring, hairdressing, and catering.
‘After graduation, each will receive capital to start her own business’, she said.
