I run to promote tourism, humanity, says ‘World Wrapper Man’

An adventurer, Adjarho Obaro, popularly called “World Wrapper Man”, says his decision to embark on running across the nation and other countries is to promote tourism and humanity.

It was reported that Obaro is a multiple marathoner and he is known as the “World Wrapper Man” because he has participated in several runs – not in tracksuits or conventional athletic gear – but in his native Uhrobo attire, which comes with a 37-yard wrapper.

In 2015, he spent 22 days running from Lagos to Abuja.

Others are Lagos to Makurdi, 900km, 40 days; Lagos to Onitsha, 650km, 17 days; Lagos to Ughelli, 506km, 12 days, and Abeokuta to Lagos 102km, three days.

Also, he has participated in the Bucharest City Marathon (2010), Bucharest International Marathon (2011), Club Marathon (2011), Bucharest International Marathon (2012), Bucharest Half-Marathon (2012), Triathlon Challenge, and the Lagos Half-Marathon (2015).

55-year-old Obaro in an interview with NAN in Lagos on Tuesday, said that each of his marathon activities were purposefully done to draw attention to certain issues that should be addressed in the society.

He said it was also meant to promote domestic tourism as many Nigerians preferred to travel for leisure rather than looking inwards.

He noted that aside his love for running, he had also realised it was the easiest form of exercise anyone could embrace to keep fit, stay healthy and improve one’s mood.

“I started running to showcase Nigerian culture, promoting tourism and humanity in 2015.

“In Nigeria, I have been to 32 states including the Federal Capital Territory. I have not been to Jigawa, Borno, Taraba and Katsina states.

“Lagos to Abuja took me 22 days and that was when I created awareness on the essence of education; Lagos to Onitsha was done in 19 days when I campaigned against piracy.

“Lagos to Makurdi was to draw attention to the flood victims then in Benue state; Lagos to Ughelli in Delta state was done in 12 days, to create awareness on the essence of education, and Abeokuta to Lagos was done in three days to raise funds for the blind in the society,” he said.

Obaro called on the Federal Government and well meaning Nigerians to support and sponsor his cause.

According to him, his next project will be running around the ECOWAS countries to draw attention to visa procurement issues.