Chairman of the Itire-Ikate LCDA in Lagos state, Dr Ahmed Apatira has called on residents in the state to strengthen social cohesion and peaceful coexistence for a greater and more prosperous of the state.
The council boss made the call on Saturday at an endurance and fitness walk organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Itire-Ikate Chapter in partnership with KEDI Healthcare.
The walk-themed “Walk for Progress With The Mayor”, according to its coordinator, Comrade Oshodi Ayodele, is aimed at promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles and progressive communal living and development among residents in the district.
Speaking at the event, Apatira emphasised the importance of walking to maintaining a healthy living.
He said, “Walking for 30 or more minutes once a day or more on most days of the week is a great way to improve and maintain our overall health.
“The importance of this walk cannot be overemphasised for both the young and old, men and women. Even short-distance walks more frequently can be beneficial.
This is more like a community walk. It featured people from different strata of the society and it was intended to make the exercise an enjoyable social occasion.
As our administration focuses on improving the socio-economic conditions of residents in the district, so we are not only concerned but invest hugely in their physical wellness as evident in what we have seen here today.”
One of the participants at the event, Hajia Mariam Balaraba who is also the Supervisor for Works and Infrastructure speaks on programmes specifically tailored towards youth and women empowerment under the Apatira-led administration.
She said, “Apart from investing in the wellness and welfare of residents in the district, Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Olanrewaju Apatira has also done a lot in the area of road and library and ICT centre construction. We have also invested in tuition-free polytechnic scholarships, annual skill acquisition and training programs, and the ongoing construction of Junior and Senior Secondary Schools and agricultural training centred, facilitated by Rt. (Hon.) Femi Gbajabiamilla, former Speaker, Federal House of Representatives.
“If you observe closely, you will discover that all the programs are targeted towards youth development and one of the ways to make them benefit optimally from these programmes is to ensure that they are adequately fit both in mind, body and spirit to be able to make best use of the facilities and knowledge acquired hence the endurance walk.”
Distinguished personalities present included members of Itire-Ikate Executive Cabinet, Lagos State NYCN Chairman Comr. Ambassador Biliamin Olamilekan OBA, Mr. Tunda Awoyelu (Education Secretary, Surulere Local Government Education Authority), Emeritus Chairman NYCN Lagos Amb. Olayinka Oreshile, Comr Fatai Ajibola VC Lagos East Senatorial District, Comr Akibu Sikiru (Interim Chairman, Forum of NYCN Coordinators, Lagos State), Comr Lukman (Coordinator, NYCN Ojodu), and Comr Adigun Ibrahim Olamilekan (Coordinator, NYCN Odi-Olowo).
Others are members of the Nigerian Red Cross, Nigerian Boys Brigade, Prosper Base, Semilore Boys, founder and CEO of Project LOUD Amb. Niyi Gbodomowo, among other community-based organizations, paramilitary organizations, civil societies, and representatives from the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corp.
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