Octogenarians, senior citizens stage 3 km “Walk for Life” in Lagos
Walk
By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2018 (NAN) A former Technical Director, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF),Chief Tunde Disu, was among over 200 octogenarians and other senor citizens who staged a three-kilometer “Walk for Life” initiative on Thursday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the health support initiative was put together by an NGO, Charity Organisation for the Welfare of Aged People (COWAP).
The initiative was supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigerian Army, Lagos East and Lagos West Local governments, among others.
The three kilometer started at Apongbon Bridge and ended at the Freedom Park on Lagos Island after which participants received free medical checkup provided by the Army.
NAN reports that the event was spiced up with the appearance of 85 year-old Mr Rasheed Ali, who was given a nod to participate in the walk after a health screening was conducted on him.
The 85 year-old Rasheed Ali said he was ecstatic to have joined the train adding that the benefits of the walk made him to join.
“I want to live healthy in spite of my advancing age, although many did not want me to join in the walk maybe because of my age, nut at my insistence, I was allowed.
“I am happy to be here because I can feel the benefits in my body, I can feel that all the nerves in my body are more relaxed, he said
Speaking on the essence of the health initiative the convener, COWAP, Mr Olusola Esan, said that the programme was targeted at encouraging healthy living and lifestyle among the elders in Lagos.
“This is an initiative to encourage our aged to continue to live healthy in spite of their advancing age. It is a health initiative targeted at providing a platform for the elder to relax.
“More importantly, programme like this will help our elders to improve on their health and reduces non-communicable diseases.
“We have encouraged the elders to join in the programme and many of them are excited to be here as I am, they are really having fun with the music.
“Ordinarily, the aged ones here will not be able to walk a 3 Kilometer on their own, but seeing others it means nothing; they will definitely enjoy the outcome of the programme, he said.
The WHO representative, Mrs Sherifat Lawal said that the international body supported the initiative because of its benefits to the people.
“We are in support of this programme because of its immense benefits to the people especially the aged. A walk like this helps in reducing non-communicable diseases among the aged.
“Non-communicable diseases such as Hypertension, Diabetes and others can be minimised through programmes like this. The aged ones will have a space to walk to free some stress in the body.
“This type of programme is popular in other countries, so we will encourage our elders to participate in events like this to keep them healthy,” she said.
Disu, the former assistant coach of defunct Green Eagles said that the initiative was a laudable one which made him to give all his support.
“This is a laudable health initiative for the elders and I am part of it because of its immense benefits. As a sports person, I know the importance of exercise to the body.
“Exercises especially when approaching advanced age is critical to sound health so coming here to walk is for the good of everyone.
“The turnout is good enough but we will also encourage more participation of the elderly because we want them all to live healthy, he said. (NAN)
KOJE/WOJ
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Edited by Wale Ojetimi