By Danjuma Amodu | March 16, 2026
Kogites are increasingly resorting to trekking or cycling hundreds of kilometres to meet wealthy or influential individuals and politicians, hoping to catch their attention and secure financial rewards. This trend, which started as a rare occurrence, has gained momentum, with several cases reported in recent times.
It all began with MC Jekabeche in January 2025, when he first rode a bicycle from Ankpa to Ogugu to visit a popular priest in Kogi East, Fada DonBon. From this venture, Jekabeche cycled from Ankpa to Abuja to meet Hon. Idris Husseini (popularly called Idrisima or Idris HK), the CEO of Crush Cafe, who reportedly rewarded him with cash gifts in 2025. In 2026, Jekabeche again embarked on a solo cycling ride to Lagos, a feat he had since accomplished. He is still basking in the euphoria of this feat, judging from his travelogue, which shows him being welcomed in most major cities by his kinsmen along his route to Lagos State.
On his arrival in Lagos, he has been enjoying being hosted by different groups, Churches and Kogi celebrities. A popular digital traditionalist, Dr. Uloko Ojiji, promised him a car at one of the events, adding a taste of fame to his already rising celebrity status.
In an interview, Jekabeche revealed he encountered kidnappers on his way, who took his sweater but do not abduct or harm him, an assertion that sparked scepticism on its veracity among social media enthusiasts. He further mooted the idea of cycling to Ghana from Lagos. This is a case of one taking his luck too far as it further fuels concerns about his safety without proper planning before crossing the borders of Nigeria with bicycle.
Caught in this wave is Emmylord, a content creator and another Kogite, who embarked on a trekking expedition to Abuja to meet Alh. Dr. Sanusi Abdul Sanusi (aka Sanan), the CEO of Sanan Real Homes. In appreciation, on arrival, Sanusi honoured Emmylord with a full scholarship from 100 level to 400 level, a TVS motorcycle, and an iPhone 15 Pro Max for his determination and perseverance.
Dansofo Usman Jr., a media personality and anchor of WhotNow Podcast, describes Sanusi’s gesture as inspiring. He opined that hard work, determination, and belief can truly open doors. “Emmylord’s journey is not just about trekking miles—it is about perseverance, hope, and the power of dreams,” he added.
In a related development, Hamidat Drisu Eleojo, a Kogite based in Akwa-Ibom State, is jumping on this trend with a plan to trek from Akwa Ibom State to Abuja to meet Usman Austin Okai, a publisher, activist, and politician. In a Facebook post, Eleojo said he would undertake the journey to create awareness and share his story with people along the way. He appealed for support, encouragement, and prayers, adding that he’s determined to complete the journey.
Responding to the post, Okai asked Eleojo to put his plans on hold, citing a busy schedule in the build-up to Sallah and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) forthcoming membership registration drive.
“Morning, Hamidat—let’s talk by phone. I’m heading to the village for the ADC membership registration drives, congresses any moment from now, then straight into Sallah and Easter break, so I’ll be out of Abuja soon. Thanks again for the creative idea; we’ll reschedule,” he said.
Like an epidemic, yet another Kogite, named Kind David, caught the bug and announced his intention to embark on a trekking expedition from Ayigba to Abuja to meet Austin Okai. Related to this, Dansofo, in a satirical post on his timeline, said. “Another Kogi boy set to embark on this adventure… this is good! Who’s Next abeg?”
In a swift reaction, Okai said he has shortened the trekking for King David, as he is going to the village for Sallah break and ADC registration drives, he therefore asked him to meet him in the village, saying he’s headed to Emewe, his home town in Dekina Local Government Area.
Reactions and Concerns
The trend has sparked concern among Kogites, with users like Romzzy Idris and Psalm Simeon expressing dismay and warning against normalizing such behaviour.
“It’s high time we stop applauding this stupidity before it becomes a normal way of life,” Romzzy Idris said. “These boys will later make someone feel ashamed to say he is Igala,” Psalm Simeon added. In the same vein, Faruk Na’ek Ólàmàchérare pointed out that the trend is becoming dangerous and needs to stop before something terrible happens.
Alternative Solutions
Going forward, we at Newsworth Media suggest redirecting this energy into a Guinness World Record-breaking adventure, promoting positive values and community impact. This could be done in partnership with fitness experts, health professionals, and influencers to create a movement that celebrates achievement, resilience, and community impact.
Call to Action
Let’s redefine success and make it count. Let’s make Kogi proud, safely and sustainably. We believe that It is time to channel this energy into something remarkable and create a positive legacy for Kogites.
