BY Gift Chapi Odekina
Rep.Tajudeen Yusuf, a member representing Kabba Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State in the House of Representatives has called on Nigerians to take serious issues relating to their heart.
Yusuf made the call on Saturday while he flagged off a health walk to commemorate the launching of a heart foundation in memory of his late wife, Mrs Titi Yusuf, who passed away two years ago after a protracted battle with heart disease.
Tagged, “Heart is Life” the lawmaker who was accompanied by many of his colleagues from the House, as well as top management staff of government ministries and agencies, said the aim of the walk was to create awareness about heart-related issues.
He said the Titi Memorial Heart Foundation which was launched a year ago had intervened in some heart health emergencies, one of which was a case from Akure which the foundation raised funds to sponsor, and for which surgery was successfully carried out.
Yusuf said his foundation was collaborating with other NGOs to raise the awareness of Nigerians about the dangers of neglecting one’s health, particularly the integrity of one’s heart.
Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President of Athletic Federation of Nigeria, who was also present during the walk thanked the initiator and described his late wife as a fighter, saying even though she wasn’t given the chance to live long, “she lived with her condition for many years because she knew what the problem was and managed it until she eventually gave up.”
He said the heart is life and the engine room of the body, and therefore should be regularly checked for possible issues and corrections.
Silas Adara, President Karate Federation of Nigeria, said he was there to identify with the Hon. Yusuf and his late dear wife who was lost a few years ago. He said, “even though doctors said she was only going to live for 14 years as a child, she was able to live beyond 40 years before departing the earth”.
He called for the sustainability of the walking program that has been commenced by the husband and urged people to key into health management.
peaking after the 4-kilometre walk that took off from the Unity Fountain in Abuja to the Eagle Square and back, Hon. Rimanmde Shawulu a member if the House said “it was good to see some very old men not panting, and great to see Dr Disappearing”, saying that ” it is good to do this often as the experience was worthwhile.”
Dr Olorunfemi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development said walking is a very great form of exercise and people should imbibe more of it.
He said he is a fitness-oriented Ministry and they are ready to join anyone who is willing to organise such walks anytime they a called upon.
He noted that being a heart patient himself having had heart surgery 20 years ago, he could relate to the experience. He said he gets up every morning by 5:30 and walks for 2 hours, urging that people should get into the habit of exercising their bodies for good health.
