Health Minister Tasks Nigerians On Regular Exercise

By Yinka Salaam,Osogbo

Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole has urged citizens to engage in regular physical exercise with a view to maintaining physical fitness and prevent many avoidable diseases.

He gave this charge on Wednesday at the flag off of the 3-kilometre Health Walk of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun Council, in Osogbo, the state capital.

The endurance trek was part of the Press Week of the Council.

Adewole said regular walk of an average distance of one kilometer per day does ward off a lot of diseases and prevents many cardiovascular issues that eventually gulp millions of Naira or even leads to sudden death.

The minister who was represented by the Osun State Commissioner for Science and Innovation, Engr Remi Omowaiye advised journalists to make such endurance trek a habit rather than limit it to occasional events.

Commenting on the Health Walk, the Chairman of the committee, Pastor Sam Segun-Progress noted that, while the exercise is held annually, it will be important to get enough sponsors to turn it to a quarterly one.

“This is done once a year, but our hope is that we shall get enough committed sponsors to make the event a quarterly affair. You see, as journalists, we take care of other people, but there is no one to take care of us.

We therefore encourage sponsors and other people to help make this a reality,” he said

The NUJ Chairman, Comrade Biodun Olalere who was also part of the Walk commended the over 150 participants as well as the sponsors.

Other notable supporters of the event are: Mr Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Kayode Oduoye and Alhaji Adejare Bello – who are also governorship aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP amongst others.

The Health Walk was also supported by many members of the state House of Assembly.