The Wellbeing Foundation Africa in partnership with the World Health Organization Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Health and Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, have taken up the WHO Global Health For All Challenge.
The exercise which is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle practices towards the Africa Health Transformation Agenda of the World Health Organisation, was tagged Abuja Walk the talk.
The road walk which started and ended at the Millennium Park, took participants on a 7.6km trek across various streets of Abuja and had over 2,000 residents of the FCT participating in the early morning walk and exercise.
The participating stakeholders were invited across the country to walk, run or dance along a 7.6 kilometer route road walk to promote healthy lifestyles and a healthy populace.
Various dignitaries present at the event included the Founder-President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki; the World Health Organization Representative and Head of Mission in Nigeria, Dr Wondi Alemu; the Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu; the Honourable Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalong, who was ably represented at the walk; and other distinguished guests.
H.E. Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, WBFA Founder-President, commented:
in her address at the Walk the Talk exercise, Her Excellency, Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki said the walk designed at observing the World Health Organisation’s Health for All challenge, which she said, is a part of the Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’ initiative of Putting People First in achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Mrs Saraki explained that the exercise was the first time a country office of the WHO has actually done this walk, adding that “the Wellbeing Foundation Africa is delighted to collaborate with the WHO to work towards Universal Health Coverage for all, especially in Nigeria.”
“To stay healthy, I believe everyone should have at least 35 minutes of walking three times a week, as this helps the cardiovascular system, especially with blood circulation. This years’ walk was wonderful with over 2,000 people turning out to partake in the 7.6km walk, and I hope that next year we will have over 20,000 people come out to participate” she added.
In his remarks, Dr Wondi Alemu stated that “the Exercise should continue on a personal basis, at least three times a week with a minimum duration of 30 minutes, all year round. This Abuja Walk the Talk road walk is an opportunity to get people to take exercising seriously and practice what we talk about with regards to frequent exercise for healthier life.”
According to reports from the WHO, globally 1 in 4, adults are not active enough, and insufficient physical activities is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
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