By Cleopatra Eki
Waka Community International, Q-Life Family Clinic and Health Emergency Initiative have appealed to the public to continue in walking exercise and keep faith with them to keep changing lives at all times.
Lorenzo Mba Founder,Waka Community International Foundation made the call in Lagos while addressing the participants in Lagos.
“Walking helps improve cardiovascular fitness,. contributes to clearing the mind and it boosts our moods.
Walking is a low impact exercise and so it is gentle on the ankles and knees. “The collaboration aimed at contributing to the wellness and health of Nigerians and residents of Nigeria.
According to Lorenzo Mba “Today is Season 3 of Waka with Q-Life and HEI and a very unique one because it is in honour of the memory of Dr Adetokunbo Alakija, Chairman of the Lagos Health Management Agency and Medical Director of Q-life Family Clinic who marched with the Saints in May last year.
Dr Ade Alakija was a good man and an avid wakathelete ( a name we call members of Waka Community International Foundation) and we aim to immortalise his name.
We made a promise and we are continuing to deliver on that promise. We gave our word and we are keeping our word. ” According to Waka Community International Foundation, the initiators of this collaboration, our 3200+ members in over 40 countries and in many cities in Nigeria, are encouraged to walk a minimum of thirty minutes daily and to eat healthy in controlled portions and get g adequate sleep. Walking is the oldest and safest form of physical exercise and is non-discriminatory on grounds of age, gender, level of physical fitness or location.
Walking also has many benefits such as helping maintain a healthy weight and helping lose unwanted and undesirable fat. Walking helps prevent or manage various conditions including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
He recalled that on March 18, 2022 Waka Community International Foundation, Q-Life Family Clinic and Health Emergency Initiative had collaboration.On May 7 we made good on that announcement by holding a road walk titled “LET’S WAKA WITH QLIFE AND HEI” .On October 8, 2022 we had the second Waka with Q-Life and HEI in commemoration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence.
We encourage folks to walk indoors or outdoors depending on choice, safety or convenience. Walking is also inexpensive. One can walk bare feet indoors and on beaches. To walk outdoors require nice fitting and affordable running shoes. So what’s really stopping you from walking?
As we are walking here in Lagos, our members in Abuja and some other locations are also walking simultaneously. Those unable to join today’s walk in Lagos and Abuja etc are walking remotely wherever they are in the world and sharing their videos, their photos, their status on our Social Media platforms on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram. That way we are as a Community, changing lives one #waka at a time.
Mba also thanked everyone who has come out here today ( March 25, 2023 ) and also the many who couldn’t be physically here today, but are walking remotely and in solidarity in over 40 countries around the world.
Speaking Mr Paschal Achunine, Executive Director , Health Emergency Initiative said Today’s walk and demonstration of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid is driven by our conviction that that since a healthy Nigeria is a wealthy Nigeria, it is worthwhile to inform, educate and persuade Nigerians as well as all residents of Nigeria and indeed the world, to take personal responsibility for their wellness by walking and eating right as well as getting enough quality sleep.
He added that a major point of today’s event is a demonstration of Basic CPR and First Aid by the Red Cross . This will provide CPR and First Aid tips that can be vital during emergencies.
HEl boss also disclosed that Two days ago on March 23, 2023, we had an online Presentation by a Consultant Physician, Dr Bukola Adeniyi titled “ March to Health” emphasizing the importance of walking as part of our wellness regime.
The Presentation was arranged by Q-life Family Clinic, a collaborator of today’s waka.
We must commend the family of Dr Adetokunbo Alakija, our respective partners and sponsors for believing in the Vision and for supporting today’s event and equally important, for coming out in good numbers to waka today.
We appreciate Nigerian Conservation Foundation, PlusWorld Roofing, Lagos State Health Management Agency, VacciPharm, Zolon, Placeware Nigeria Also the Red Cross, FRSC, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, officials of various Lagos State Government Agencies and more-Achunine said.
Waka Community International members, employees of Q-life Family Clinic, the team from Health Emergency Initiative, well wishers and the public who have participated physically. Over 3200+ members of Waka Community International Foundation in different parts of the world, will be walking remotely in solidarity from wherever in the world they are and uploading their videos, photos and status on the online platforms such as Facebook: @ Waka Community International, YouTube: @ Waka Community International, Twitter: @WakaCommunity, on Instagram @wakacommunity2 and on TikTok ( canig innovative solutions). You can do so too.
