Lagos Partners, Lauds Osun on Calisthenics Training

Lagos and Osun States Government have entered into partnership on the training of students and youths on fundamentals of calisthenics, an innovative programme of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Receiving a six-man delegation from Osun on Monday at her office, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, said that the training in calisthenics would help in developing the Lagos state students mentally, physically and socially.

The calisthenics training is in preparation of the `Lagos @ 50’ celebrations coming up in May.
Calisthenics consists of a variety of movements often performed rhythmical and usually conducted in concerts with stretches to depict specific symbols.

Adebule said that the calisthenics display of students at the 25th anniversary of the creation of the State of Osun in Aug. 2016 spurred Governor Akinwunmi Ambode into the partnership.

She said: “Gov. Ambode was impressed by the breathtaking calisthenics performances at the Osogbo City Stadium and has decided to replicate same in Lagos State.

“We are partnering with Osun State to share ideas and learn from them to ensure a historic performance at the Lagos @50 celebration and beyond.

“One of the components of calisthenics is to give meaning to the total package of educational training for young minds.

“We are starting this training with our students and we will extend it to the youth in the state,” Adebule said.

The Director, Department for Social and Grassroots Mobilisation and Guidance, Office of the Governor, Osun, Mr Adebayo Ojo, who led the visiting team, said the school calisthenics programme had been a success in Osun State.

Ojo said that the calisthenics programme was conceived to enhance the emergence of a new generation of students who were physically fit, mentally sound and socially responsible individuals that would be well-adjusted to societal needs.

He said: “The State of Osun is the first in the country to revive this sterling and rewarding initiative in about more than three decades.

“We shall do our best to ensure that we bring out the best in the students who will be trained to produce Eko-Calisthenics that will be of global standard.”