…Hospital urges Nigerians to embrace regular physical activity, as experts highlight benefits of walking
The Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta (FMCA), has joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World Walking Day with a week-long programme of activities designed to promote physical activity, healthy living and community awareness.
The programme, organised by the Department of Physiotherapy, commenced on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with an aerobics session, followed by free health checks on Friday, October 2, to ascertain the fitness of participants ahead of the grand-finale endurance trek.
The week-long programme climaxed with an endurance walk which attracted management and staff of the hospital, members of the public and other fitness enthusiasts.
The Walk, proudly sponsored by the Chairman of Oluwalogbon Electrical & Electronics, Sapon, Mr. Enilolobo Oluwalogbon, commenced at the Ake Palace Ground and passed through Sapon, Ijaiye and Tekobo before terminating at the hospital premises in Idi-Aba.
Participants made brief stopovers at strategic bus stops along the route to sensitise members of the public on the importance of regular walking and physical activity.
The walk was formally declared open by Hon. Idowu Daniel, who represented Hon. Atobatele, after cutting the ceremonial ribbon.
In his goodwill message, Hon. Daniel described the initiative as a commendable development capable of bringing people of different ages together around the common objective of living healthier and longer.
Representing the Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Alalade Boladale, Consultant Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at the hospital, said the annual exercise remained a veritable platform for raising awareness about non-communicable diseases and encouraging community participation in healthy living.
Dr. Alalade explained that regular exercise could help reduce cardiovascular disease burden, noting that conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and disorders associated with cholesterol and lipids could be better prevented and managed when people adopted active lifestyles.
“The exercise that we are doing today, as simple as it appears to be, has been found to be an effective way of reducing cardiovascular burden,” he said.
According to him, exercise strengthens the heart, bones and muscles, while also improving general wellbeing.
He added that beyond its physical benefits, the exercise provided an opportunity for people to interact, build social networks and foster stronger relationships within the community.
“Beyond exercising our body, it gives us the opportunity of meeting one another. We are building social networks by this. We are meeting our community neighbours and we are able to foster a good relationship going forward,” he said.
Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy, FMCA, Dr. Lateef Ramon, stressed the importance of making physical activity an integral part of everyday life.
Dr. Ramon observed that many people did not engage sufficiently in physical activity despite its established health benefits, urging Nigerians to incorporate simple exercises such as walking into their daily routines.
He cited the World Health Organisation recommendation that adults undertake at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, adding that 30 minutes of walking daily could significantly improve health and fitness.
“Exercise does not necessarily have to be strenuous. Simple activities such as walking, when done consistently, can make a significant difference to our health. The important thing is to be non-sedentary, stay active and make physical activity a regular part of our lifestyle,” he said.
Similarly, Dr. Alimi Talayo, Deputy Director and Key Coordinator for Aerobics in the Department of Physiotherapy, described regular physical activity as essential to effective blood circulation and adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the various organs of the body.
His message to Nigerians was succinct: “Move more, stay sharper, live longer.”
The 2026 World Walking Day activities were also used to reinforce the message of the theme, “Move More, Think Sharper, Live Better,” with health professionals emphasising that regular physical activity could contribute to improved physical and mental wellbeing.
The event also attracted members of the community, including the sponsor, Mr. Enilolobo Oluwalogbon, Chairman/Director of Oluwalogbon Electrical & Electronics, Sapon, who described the initiative as “very fantastic.”
Enilolobo said his participation was motivated by his desire to maintain good health and remain physically active.
“I want good health. I want to be able to move anytime, anywhere, morning and night,” he said.
He encouraged both young and old, including men and women, to embrace regular exercise, stressing that physical fitness should become part of people’s daily lives.
“If you continue to walk, you will not feel any bad health. It is very good. Because of our sound health, that is the reason why we are walking,” he added.
Also, Mrs. Olusola Erinle, Head of Unit, New Media, Information and Public Relations, commended the hospital management for sustaining the initiative, saying it reinforced the message that exercise was for everyone.
She noted that regular physical activity helped regulate blood pressure, improve blood circulation and promote general wellbeing.
The commemoration ended with appreciation to the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, led by the Medical Director, Dr. Mrs. Titilola Sarah Ibiyemi, for supporting the initiative.
The Department of Physiotherapy was also commended for powering and coordinating the week-long programme, while appreciation was extended to the sponsor, participants and members of the public who contributed to its success.
Participants were thereafter encouraged to embrace an active lifestyle by moving more, sitting less and making physical activity a regular part of their daily lives.
