Ijero-Ekiti came alive on Saturday as the second edition of the Ekiti Monthly Keepfit tagged “The BAO WALK” took place with an impressive crowd .
The monthly walk initiated by former member of the National Assembly, Hon Bimbo Daramola (fondly called congressman) recorded awesome participation as people , regardless of age , and from diverse backgrounds joined one of the lifestyle modification efforts that medical practitioners have recommended.
The enthusiastic participants were served water and fruits juice on the go while snacks, beverages and small chops were also given to them after the walk.
Speaking to newsmen, congressman Daramola said the task of ensuring that people live in good health cannot be left exclusively to government.
According to him ,the monthly walk covers between six and 15 kilometres and feature health , wellness talks after the exercise adding that the programme would be taken across the 16 local government areas of the state to promote good health practices.
The former federal lawmaker,who attributed the good outing to the huge support from the leaders and leadership accross and beyond all boundaries of politics in Ijero Local Government Area .
He disclosed that ” no where in the world is the task of extensive overall good health of the people left to Government, there is always the place of what is the duty of citizens, otherwise interpreted as personal responsibility.”
He said “citizens responsibility can only be discharged based on what they know and how much they know and willing to do, this is where lifestyle modification comes in.
He said the initiative was also aimed at complementing the giant strides of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s in health sector and has gathered momentum among stakeholders in the state.
He commendec Governor Oyebanji for investing massively in the health sector, saying his various initiatives and interventions will greatly benefit Ekiti residents.
He urged the residents to patriotise their health, noting that the health walk does not only remove the bottlenecks on the state government but also make them immune to diseases and illnesses.
“It is not directly a political thing. It is about health because health is not partisan.
“I am happy that Ijero people came out and I will encourage the stakeholders here to continue to do this because it’s not only a win win for all of us, it’s a win win for the party, it’s a win win for non party members.
“It’s a win win for the governor who is busy investing Ekiti people’s money in hospitals. He has renovated nine at the last count, he’s currently building 80-bed multidisciplinary hospital in Ado-Ekiti.
“So we are delighted that this has all started out well. We’re going to the South, we’ve done the North, we’ve done the Central now, and then we go to the South, and then we take off again.
“On sustainability, I’m not too sure people are going to forget this in a long time. We have also commended them to continue to do this by themselves. The nurses and doctors have spoken to them, and I know they would at least if not do it in this formal sense, will do it somehow so that physical activity can be taken seriously over accidental lifestyle”.
“As I have variously mentioned here lifestyle modification is not an end in itself but it is crucial and critical in PREVENTIVE MEDICINE which is the direction of medicare today, emphasis is shifting from medications and hospitalisation to non medication based preventive efforts either to manage or outrightly prevent “.
While commending governor Biodun Oyebanji’s giant strides in the health sector , Daramola thanked the governor for the reopening of otherwise badly run down hospitals located in Iye, Ijesha ISU-Ekiti.
“It is another fact that the Governor,did the ground breaking of a proposed 80 bed multidisciplinary hospital located within EKSUTH formerly State Hospital, Ado Ekiti, the second week after the administration turned two in October 2024, this being the first major addition since Late General Adeyinka Adebayo commissioned the hospital in 1971, Construction is on going as we speak. anyone is in doubt, please go verify.
“It is also a fact that this Oyebanji administration has also not only renovated structures but also re-equip the rehabilitated hospitals, now there are new beds and beddings [ who remembers that picture of Governor Oyebanjis visit to one of the hospitals at the inception of his administration?]
“I also recall that the Chairman Nigeria Medical Association [NMA] also said Governor Oyebanji had done well with regard to improving the welfare of health practitioners in Ekiti State, whoever is in doubt can also prove me a liar too.
“Against the backdrop of manifest care and sensitivity as demonstrated by Governor Oyebanji in the fulfilment of his agenda Six of his promises to Ekiti people through these coordinated records as mentioned above, the question is that will that be all to guarantee better health for all? The answer is No!”
“We remain resolute behind the putting ekiti peoples health first mantra of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and we are well meaning enough to want our people to live more qualitative lives because as we say ILERA LORO, it’s time to help fulfil that beyond just saying so.”Daramola said .
Also speaking, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Home Affairs, Ojo Atibioke and other stakeholders who spoke commended Daramola for the initiative, adding that his action aligned with the shared prosperity agenda of Governor Oyebanji.