To ensure physical and mental health, Nigerians including the elderly persons on Thursday have been advised not to rule out physical activities and exercises from their day to day life.
Founder of Charity Organisation for the Welfare of Aged People (COWAP) Esan Olusola, gave the advice during a ‘Walk for Life’ exercise held for the elderly residents on Lagos Island.
Before 7:00am of the day not less than 100 adults who were above 60 years old assembled under the bridge at Apongbon axis on the Island and participated in an exercise anchored by the Physical Fitness Training Officers of the Nigerian Army, 81 Division, Lagos.
After the body movement exercise which also had the Nigerian Former Under-20 Football Coach Tunde Disu in attendance, the participants also sweat it out on a walk that lasted almost an hour. The walk started from Apongbo axis through the middle of downtown Lagos Island and ended at Freedom Park.
Addressing participants, COWAP Coordinator, Esan Olusola explained that with regular light exercises like walking and stretching there will be drop in sickness rate and weight gain which is common among the age group.
“We are also using this exercise to call government’s attention to the plight of the elderly in the society. It is evident that most of them in the society today lack economic strength to pay their medical bills while others struggle to feed at old age.
“ we are calling on Government to both at the federal and state level t establish a Ministry especially for the elderly where all issues of elderly care such as; Medical, Education, Welfare, pension matters/payments, recreation, information and sport will be addressed specifically,” he said.
According to the Former Nigeria Football Federation Technical Director, who advised on how the elderly can take up exercise at their homes explained that fitness is not about how you look but a measure of what you are like internally.
“Your physical outlook does not give a full indication of your health I have been able to keep fit and stay health through regular exercise. My coaching profession has really helped me more on this and it has become part of me.
“I can fall sick if I stop exercise because it has become my early morning routine. Age is not a barrier to exercise. Exercise makes you look young and be fit always, it could be within your house premises, just start with light exercises and your body will look good for it,” he said.
