Health experts have reiterated the importance of walking as a preventive medicine and a lifestyle habit, stressing that it should be seen as a path to wellness rather than a burden.
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, on Saturday joined the global community in marking the 2025 International World Walking Day with an awareness walk that drew hundreds of participants, including hospital staff, fitness enthusiasts, and residents of the Ogun State capital.
The exercise, which kicked off from the Motor Traffic Department in Ibara, covered about eight kilometres before terminating at the hospital premises.
Speaking after the walk, the Acting Medical Director of FMC, Dr. Adekunle Adeniran, described walking as “the cheapest and most accessible form of preventive medicine,” urging Nigerians to adopt it as part of their daily routine.
“Walking is preventive medicine. It helps control blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and enhances overall fitness,” Adeniran said.
“Our goal is to raise awareness about the immense health benefits of walking and encourage people to see it as an everyday lifestyle.”
The Head of Physiotherapy Services at the hospital, Mr. Rahmon Olayinka Lateef, commended participants for their enthusiasm and advised them not to limit the practice to commemorative events.
“We want people to see walking as a lifestyle, not just a one-day activity. It is consistent habits that change lives,” he noted.
Corroborating him, the Coordinator of FMC’s Eurobic Group and Deputy Director of Physiotherapy, Mr. Alimi Talayor, said walking for at least 30 minutes a day improves blood circulation, muscle flexibility, and mental wellness.
The Deputy Director of Administration at FMC, Alhaja Tajudeen Oyesiji, who also joined the walk, described the event as “refreshing and inspiring,” adding that it provided opportunities for bonding, relaxation, and renewed commitment to fitness.
World Walking Day, observed annually on October 4, is a global initiative that encourages people of all ages to embrace walking as a means to improve health, foster social connection, and promote sustainable living. This year’s edition carried the theme “Walk Into a Healthier Tomorrow.”
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