In an extraordinary display of courage, resilience, and purpose, Nigerian woman Doris Gomba Obarine has completed a 27-day cross-border trek on foot from Ghana through Togo and the Republic of Benin to Lagos, Nigeria, to advocate for orphans and challenge deep-rooted societal stigma surrounding children who lose their parents.
Speaking exclusively with SUNTV Global Channel, Obarine described the journey as both physically exhausting and emotionally transformative, revealing that it was inspired by her personal experience as an orphan and her determination to become a voice for the voiceless.
“I have always wanted to help humanity, especially orphans, because I am one,” she said. “I know what it means to lose both parents and face the world alone. I needed to stand out so that when I speak, people will listen.”
A Trek Born of Pain and Purpose
Obarine, who is also an actor and singer, explained that the trek was designed to draw attention to the struggles orphans face across Africa—neglect, discrimination, emotional trauma, and the abandonment of dreams after losing parental support.
A graduate of Theatre and Performing Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a diploma in Mass Communication, she said her academic background and life experiences have shaped her passion for storytelling and advocacy.
According to her, the project had two main objectives: to amplify the voices of orphans and to gain visibility in an acting career that has spanned nearly a decade without a major breakthrough.
“If I came out to speak on the streets, nobody would listen,” she said. “I needed to do something unconventional. I needed to stand up so I could stand out.”
From Guinness Dream to Personal Resolve
Obarine revealed that she initially planned the trek as a Guinness World Record attempt and submitted multiple applications in 2023. Although she received acknowledgment emails, she said there was no further response after more than a year of waiting.
“I had to prove to myself that I could do this with or without Guinness,” she said. “That was when I decided to go ahead on my own.”
The journey lasted 27 days in total—eight days trekking through Ghana, five days in Togo, and 14 days across the Republic of Benin—before she finally arrived in Lagos.
Challenges Across Borders
She described Ghana as the most welcoming leg of the journey, noting that widespread use of English made communication easier and locals were generally supportive.
“People kept offering me lifts because they didn’t want me walking under the hot sun,” she recalled. “Once I explained the project, they encouraged me.”
However, the journey was not without fear. Trekking through isolated and bushy routes tested her resolve.
“There were moments I almost gave up,” she said. “But I told myself, ‘If I perish, I perish.’ There was no turning back.”
In Togo, the language barrier posed a major challenge. Unable to speak French, Obarine relied on translation apps, written notes, and hand gestures to communicate.
“Sometimes I couldn’t even ask for directions properly,” she said, adding that finding accommodation was difficult, as many hotels were located deep inside villages.
She also encountered suspicion and negative stereotypes, which she said were sometimes linked to perceptions about Nigeria.
“Some people saw me as someone from a bad country,” she said. “I had to explain that not all Nigerians are bad.”
A Tough but Admirable Benin Experience
The Republic of Benin turned out to be the longest and one of the toughest legs of the trek, lasting 14 days. Language difficulties continued, and food options were limited.
Despite this, Obarine praised Benin for its cleanliness, serenity, and strong safety culture.
“You can cross the road without fear,” she said. “Drivers stay in their lanes, motorcyclists wear helmets, and traffic rules are respected.”
Borders, Finances, and Survival
Crossing international borders, she said, was among the most stressful aspects of the journey, especially as a woman traveling alone.
“They assume you came to hustle and expect you to drop money,” she said. “But God saw me through.”
She noted that Nigerian border officials were supportive and proud of her effort to project a positive image of the country, although filming at border points was prohibited.
Financially, the trek took a heavy toll. Obarine said the poor exchange rate significantly reduced the value of the naira, while hotel bills ranged between 20,000 and 40,000 CFA francs per night. Internet data costs in Togo and Benin, she said, sometimes reached ₦7,000 to ₦8,000 daily.
A Story Rooted in Personal Loss
Obarine’s advocacy, she stressed, is deeply personal. She lost her father at 41 and her mother at 40, events that dramatically altered her family’s future.
“One of my biggest pains was losing a scholarship opportunity to study in the UK,” she said, explaining that she could not afford the required initial fees after her mother’s death.
She said she became responsible for her younger siblings while still a student herself, an experience that strengthened her resolve to speak for orphans.
“Many orphans lose hope the moment their parents are buried,” she said. “Some fall into depression, some end up on the streets, and others abandon their dreams.”
During the trek, she visited an orphanage in Benin, donating what she could and encouraging the children to remain focused and hopeful.
Arrival in Lagos, Mission Continues
Obarine arrived in Lagos to a modest but organised reception coordinated by her manager and mentor, Dr Enoh Samson. She said no government agency was involved in the project.
Reflecting on the journey, she described herself as “partially fulfilled.”
“The walk was just the foundation,” she said. “The real work is helping orphans acquire skills, regain confidence, and believe in themselves.”
A registered member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria since 2010, Obarine said she has featured in several films over the past nine years but is still awaiting a major breakthrough. She cited Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson Okojie as her role models.
Looking ahead, she said any support received would be directed toward orphan advocacy and skills acquisition programmes, while she continues to pursue her acting career.
In her closing message, Obarine urged leaders and society to treat orphans with empathy and responsibility.
“If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will,” she said. “Your greatest competitor is the person you see in the mirror.”
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to follow her journey as her advocacy work unfolds beyond the road she has already conquered.
By SUNTV Global Channel
