Arising from the popular maxim that says, “Health is Wealth”, and as part of efforts to ensure that members of staff are physically and mentally fit, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kolawole Salako has led the staff of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on Health Walk to help increase cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness, as well as to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke among others, and to improve the management of conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, joint and muscular pain or stiffness.
Addressing the staff who turned out for the Health Walk at the maiden edition of the programme, organised by the Women Wing of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Felix Kolawole Salako stated that walks and exercises are very important to keep fit.
The Vice-Chancellor, therefore, called on SSANU to invite all members of staff to participate in the next edition of the Walk. According to him, “I like this concept and I want us to know that we have keyed into it. All members of staff need to keep fit and enjoy the health benefits”, he noted.
He added that his team has become accustomed to walking long distances during inspection of ongoing projects, saying that the Car Park at Mahmoud Yakubu Lecture Theatre was consciously sited so that FUNAAB staff and other stakeholders would park their cars there and trek to their various destinations.
Prof. Salako frowned at those who take advantage of this to park along the Postgraduate School road. He, therefore, charged everyone to desist from parking cars at unauthorised places on campus just because they do not want to trek at all.
He commended SSANU Women for spearheading the positive stride.
Earlier, the Chairman of SSANU-FUNAAB, Comrade Rotimi Fasunwon explained why the Union initiated the Walk, disclosing that there were cases of increasing health challenges, among staff members.
According to him, the health of his members was seriously being challenged and the Union leadership was not happy due to emergency calls often received at night to attend to members of staff in hospitals.
Also, the Branch’s Women Leader, Mrs. Omotunde Ogunsanya appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for his support and all the members of staff present for making the epoch-making event a huge success.
The Walk took off from the University Sports Complex through the Health Centre, to the International Scholars & Resources Centre (IS&RC), the Vice-Chancellors Lodge and back to the Sports Complex.
Notable members of staff who participated in the Walk included Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale; Bursar, Mr. Chukwuwinke Ezekpeazu; Deputy Registrar I, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Dawodu; Director, Works and Services, Engr. Olawole Akinyele; SSANU National Vice-President, Mr. Abdussobur Salaam; SSANU Zonal Women Leader, Mrs. Bolanle Adebesin.
Others were, Ag. Director, Information & Communication Technology Resource Centre (ICTREC), Dr. Olutayo Ajayi; Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Mr. Kola Adepoju, and Dr. Cyril Osigwe, the representative of the Ag. Director Sports, who directed the aerobics session.
