The 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 said this on Wednesday at the flag off of the three-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 kilometre 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 is a habit rather than limit it to occasional events.
The Chairman of the event, 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. As journalists, we take care of other people, but there is no one to taking care of us. We, therefore, encourage sponsors and other people to help make this a reality,” he said.
The NUJ Chairman, Mr 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 Adejare Bello, who are also governorship aspirants under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP amongst others.
The Health Walk was also supported by many members of the State House of Assembly.
