… Regular walk strengthens immune system, says Prof Oreagba
* Gynaecologist recommends specific exercises for women
What to know about the 3-hour walk: Complete Report
Hundreds of Nigerian Muslim faithful, including women and children, on Sunday, November 26, 2023, participated in the 10th edition of the annual health and fitness programme, tagged, “Walk for Life” meant to create awareness on the need for regular exercise among Nigerians.
The 15km walk organised by the Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI) in collaboration with the Centre for Global Peace Initiatives (CGPI) and The Muslim Congress (TMC) commenced at LASPARK Gardens, Jibowu (under the bridge) at exactly 7:10 am.
Muslim News gathered that participants who wore branded blue and pink vests with face caps to match, walked to Maryland roundabout and back to LASPARK Gardens Jibowu, chanting “Walk for Life”, “Walk for Health”, “Walk for Peace”, and other Islamic messages including adhkar (supplication).
They were escorted by an ambulance, medical personnel and officials of the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who ensured safety and free flow of traffic during the 3-hour hitch-free walk.
Other religious organisations who had representatives at the walk were Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Al-Mu’minaat (the Believing) Organisation, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Lagos State Area Unit.
The Executive Director of HCFI, Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba, in his address, said Walk for Life is to create awareness on the importance of walking as a form of exercise in the community.
He urged Nigerians to walk regularly, at least three to four times a week, saying it gives them a strong immune system.
According to him, When you walk regularly — at least three to four times a week — it gives you a strong immune system. It also boosts your heart and strengthens your memory cells. The bone cells are also strengthened and it reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and diabetes. So, walking is a very important activity in our life. The program is dedicated to creating that awareness amongst men and women in Nigeria.
Prof. Oreagba, who works in the Department of Pharmacology Therapeutics and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said the 2023 edition commemorates the 10th anniversary of the walk and also symbolically marks the 30th anniversary of TMC, one of its partners.
“For this year’s edition, we have invited dignitaries from wide and far. We have participants from the women’s wing, children and men, and we have a lot of sponsors that have contributed to the success of the event.
“We have here the representative of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Lagos State. The ministry also believes in the importance of exercise. So, we have forged a partnership with them, believing it will grow stronger,” he said.
Mr. Jamiu Idris, represented the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Lagos State expressed delight over the turnout and the participation of women and more importantly, children in the 15km walk, saying that walking is good for their health and physical wellbeing.
He said, “We are delighted to see children in our midst. Going for a 15km walk is not an easy task. I encourage our people to always bring out their children to participate in this walk, especially the next edition. By the time we get older and we are not able to participate anymore, our children can continue.
“The walk is also a way of sensitising the society that Islam is a religion of peace, far from other negative interpretations and colourations given to it.
“Walking is actually good for our health. When we walk, we sweat out, belch and reduce weight. It also controls our sugar level. Prevention is better than cure. When you walk regularly, your body becomes healthy. Therefore, you don’t spend too much on curing health issues and such money could be put to use for other things,” he noted.
The immediate former Board Chairman of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Dr. (Hon.) Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, who was part of the dignitaries that joined the walk, stressed the need for the participants to prioritise healthy life and take advantage of ‘walk for life’ as part of the physical activities needed to keep fit.
Hundreds of #Muslim faithful, including women and children, on Sunday, November 26, 2023, participated in the 10th edition of the annual health and fitness programme, tagged, "Walk For Life" meant to create awareness of the need for regular exercise among #Nigerians. pic.twitter.com/yfEBQWZbCw
— Muslim News Nigeria (@muslimnews_NG) November 27, 2023
On his part, the Secretary General of The Muslim Congress, one of the partner faith-based organisations, Alhaji Taiwo Adeshina, explained that the government and relevant agencies were duly carried along in the exercise.
According to him, “This program involves a large crowd and we require the authorities to grant us a permit. We are peaceful people and we want to ensure that our peaceful walk is not hijacked by miscreants.”
Alhaji Adeshina added that the presence of a government representative at the programme will send a strong message to the citizens, especially youths that walking is significant to physical fitness and good health.
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told us that a strong Muslim is better than a weak Muslim. If not for anything at all, this hadith should serve as a strong motivation to Muslims not to love sedentary lifestyle, but to be active and fit,” he stated.
In his remarks, Prince Sulaiman Olagunju who represented Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation at the walk, said the initiative is a health management system that focuses on prevention.
Noting that prevention is better than cure, the Executive Director/CEO of the charity foundation, Prince Olagunju underscored the importance of walking to healthy living.
“At Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, we know health is wealth. We spend money on health issues. And if we have a programme like this that prevents people from sickness, it will reduce the quantum of money we are spending to take care of the sick ones. It’s better to spend money to prevent than spend to cure.
“In one way or the other, Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI) is helping the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation. They are helping us greatly because they are preventing people from running into sickness. They will allow us to put our resources into other charitable causes that impact positively on the lives of Nigerians. That’s why we’re partnering with them.”
Sharing her experience, Dr Fatimah Habeeb-Adeyemi, a Gynaecologist, noted it was her first time partaking in the walk, saying she was excited to do so.
She encouraged people to make walking and other exercises a part of their daily lives.
“This is my first time of attending this particular walk (Walk for Life). But I have attended several other walks. I am getting to know about it for the first time because Prof. Oreagba, one of the directors, sent messages to me and my husband. So, we followed up because it’s very good for our health. I’ve experienced the benefits of walking. At a point in time, I found out that my legs were not as healthy as they used to be. I noticed that when I engaged in walking, I got stronger. I could stand for a longer period.
“I think it’s important for everyone to participate in exercises. Sitting down to work has taken most of our time. So, I decided any walk programme that comes my way, I’ll participate in it. You’re motivated by the crowd. Even when you’re tired, the crowd keeps you going. If someone had told me that I would do a 15km walk and come back strong, I would have almost said no. I’m so happy.”
Dr. Fatimah added she was delighted to be among her Muslim brethren, noting there’s no way Allah’s blessing won’t come down on them for coming together for a good cause.
As a health practitioner, she advised women to do more kegel exercise, as it helps the reproductive organs.
“Exercise generally is good for both men and women. When you now come to specifics, maybe you now have to come down to individualise health. Then, you can give exercises that pertain to their medical conditions. Any exercise good for the male is also good for the female. However, kegel exercise is very good for females. It’s only for females. A man cannot do it because it is for reproductive organs.
“Walking is good for the entire body system. At least, in a day, if you can do a 30-minute walk (brisk walk), it is enough. If you walk into the office, after sitting for some time, you should stand up and walk around. You can also walk very early in the morning or before sleeping at night. You will feel the impact.”
In his submission, the head of CGPI, Mr Saheed Gbadebo said taking a walk can be life-changing for so many reasons, including physical fitness, mental clarity, happiness and a more healthy body.
According to him, People actually walk for different reasons and the reason one person walks may be different from the next person’s, but one thing is certain, walking will benefit your fitness and general wellbeing.
“Walking can cleanse the mind and body, and you have the opportunity to connect with everything around you. Away from the hustle and bustle, you have the opportunity to feel that the world is such a beautiful place as you take time to enjoy the moment during the walk.”
Speaking further on the benefits of regular walk, Mr Gbadebo disclosed that people struggling with depression and anxiety will be better able to cope if they make walking a regular routine in their daily lives.
“Walking can also help you to stay in touch with nature, your friends and family if you come together to walk.
“A lot of Nigerians live sedentary lifestyles which is harmful to their health. Walking is a way to get a new lease of life because it will make you feel good physically and mentally. And if you want longevity while being mobile and strong, walking is the way to go.
“Many men and women are struggling with the motivation to get healthy. The Walk for Life is here to show them how that can be achieved and that it doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s something they can be easily achieve by joining us every year and thereafter taking the motivation for walking a few minutes each and every day. You only have to set your goal, walk for a few minutes daily and earn your fitness”, he added.
The Director of CGPI stated that the annual Walk for Life event can only get bigger as more and more people join each year and those that find it difficult to join get the message they are passing and do their daily walk in their respective places.
“The Walk for Life is on its way to becoming a big national event that will showcase important dignitaries in the fitness and wellness industry. My appeal is for everyone to come onboard as individual and corporate participants and sponsors. Government officials are also involved with the representative of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development in attendance,” he added.
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