By Stella Odueme
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has reafirms her commitment towards sustaining the culture of sporting activities and aerobics in the civil and public service.
She also stated that the number of Permanent Secretaries, who are always present for the physical exercise is pointer to its sustainability.
Dr. Yemi-Esan, disclosed this at the Aerobics and Sports organised for civil servants across various Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs) held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2024 Civil Service Week celebrations on Saturday.
The HoSF explained that the exercise is as important as feeding our stomachs.
She further buttressed that for civil servants to be able to function efficiently and be more productive, they must be healthy and so the aerobics and sporting event is to encourage them to participate frequently because “a healthy mind can only operate in a healthy body.”
Dr. Yemi-Esan, implored federal civil servants to make adequate use of the Wellness Centre domicile in the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation for both their physical and mental fitness.
She also urged workers, across all the MDAs, to engage in regular sporting exercises and ensured to adopt exercise as a daily habit. She added that Civil Service as the engine room of the government should be healthy in order to give their best to the country.
In his Goodwill message, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, thanked the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for sustaining the tradition of aerobic exercise in public service, adding that the event reiterates the need for every individual to imbibe physical fitness into their lifestyle.
He emphasised that there will be better and increased productivity in the country when there is a healthy workforce.
In her Opening Remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office in OHCSF, Dr Deborah Odoh, admonished the Civil Servants to have a work life balance by frequently engaging in body exercise.
The event featured football competitions from 16 teams across various MDAs which was won by the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.
The event also featured, “Best Behaved Team.” The first position was awarded to the OHCSF, the second went to Federal Ministry of Education, while the third position was given to the Office of Auditor General of the Federation.
The first position for the “Best Kitted Team,” category was presented to the Federal Ministry of Works, while the second was given to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security just as the third went to the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Also, the first place for the MDA with the “Highest Attendance,” was awarded to the Federal Ministry of Works with a total number of 289 workers in attendance, while the second and third positions were won by the Federal Ministries of Transportation, with 159 and Aviation, with 151, respectively.
Lastly, the first position for the “First in Attendance,” was received by the Federal Ministries of Transportation with that of Agriculture and Food Security second while Innovation, Science and Technology Ministry came third.
In attendance at the event were Transformative Permanent Secretaries from various MDAs, Directors and workers from Agencies.
