News Agency of Nigeria
FAAN using sports to promote staff fitness, teamwork – MD

FAAN using sports to promote staff fitness, teamwork – MD

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is determined to advance staff fitness and teamwork through sporting activities.

The Managing Director (MD), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said this during the maiden FAAN Inter-Regional Football competition in Abuja on Wednesday.

Kuku was represented by Mr Rindap Domtur, the FAAN Ag. Regional Manager of North Central.

According to her, workplace sports, like football, promote physical fitness, healthy competition, teamwork, and collaboration, ultimately contributing to a more productive and happier workforce.

“There is this old adage that says, all work, and no play makes Jack a dull boy; it is not every time you keep talking about work, all through. While you perform your duties, you need to keep fit; you need to be happy.

“You need to integrate. You need to relate with other people from other regions and the only ground for which we can come together is through sporting activities.

“By participating in football and other sports, FAAN workers can develop valuable skills, build meaningful relationships, and improve their overall well-being,” she said.

The MD added that the activity had started to unite the FAAN staff, as other people from other regions that had never been to Abuja got an opportunity to open up networking before returning.

Speaking, Mrs Omotosho Oyinye, the General Manager of FAAN Welfare Management Services, said the exercise would develop emotional resilience and mental toughness towards boosting productivity.

Oyinye, who is also the Chairperson Sports Committee, affirmed that there were minor challenges of coordination during the preparation, said, “υhowever, that “Such minor challenges are expected of every programme of such magnitude.”

Also speaking, Mr Adeleye Taiwo, Local Organising Committee Chairman for the event, said the event would be for a talent hunt to discover more talented players.

According to him, FAAN has had such sporting competition for over 12 years only in Lagos while outstations were not carried along.

“Now we have regional airports, and these people are complaining that they have not been carried along because we have so many talents in all these airports.

“The outcome of this event will strengthen our arsenal in terms of football. The big umbrella of it is the Federation of Civil Service Games, which we always participate in every year.

“This competition that started on July 13, will end on July 22, 2025,” he added. (NAN) 

Edited by Esenvosa Izah and Benson Iziama

Expert advocates walking for preventive, cardiovascular health management

Expert advocates walking for preventive, cardiovascular health management

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Lorenzo Mba, Founder, Waka Community International Foundation, has urged Nigerians to embrace walking to help prevent or manage conditions including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Mba gave the advice on Saturday in Lagos during a walk event with Q-life Family Clinic and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) to honour Dr Ade Alakija.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the late Alakija, who passed in 2022, was the Chairman, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) Board.

The Waka founder added that walking also helped improve cardiovascular fitness.

He said the walk, in its third edition, was held to immortalise Alakija who wore many caps and was a pioneer member of Waka Community International Foundation.

“Today’s walk and free health check for interested participants and the public is driven by our conviction that a healthy Nigeria is a wealthy Nigeria.

“It provides us with the opportunity to inform, educate and persuade Nigerians and indeed the world, to take personal responsibility for their wellness by walking, eating right, hydrating well, getting enough quality sleep.

“And for those above 45, some strength training to maintain muscle mass which is essential for aging healthily,” he said.

Mba also encouraged Nigerians to walk a minimum of 30 minutes daily, eat healthy in small portions, drink lots of water and get adequate sleep to be fitter, leaner, healthier and ultimately happier.

He described walking as the oldest and safest form of physical exercise that was non-discriminatory on grounds of age, gender, level of physical fitness or location.

“We encourage everyone to walk indoors or outdoors depending on choice, safety or convenience.

“Walking is also inexpensive as one can walk bare feet indoors and on beaches,” he said.

Mr Paschal Achunine, Executive Director, Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), said walking was a call to healthy living without strain.

He said HEI would continue to train first responders and enlighten the general public on practical steps to save lives.

“Exercise is an escape route for certain diseases and calling people’s attention to exercise is a noble move that the late Alakija stood for,” he said.

Ola Alakija, younger brother to the late Alakija, said the honorary walk ensured that his legacy and memory was preserved.

He added that exercising was a great form of tribute to him particularly in view of his passion to bring health to the world. (NAN)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

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