Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has led about 100 elderly persons, under the aegis of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Senior Citizens Club in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on a keep-fit walk.

The exercise was part of the club’s keep-fit programme.

The about 2.5-kilometre keep fit road walk was held on Saturday, according to a statement yesterday by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.

During the walk, Obasanjo emphasised the need for regular exercise to ensure better living conditions as they grow older.

He described the walk as both an awareness campaign and an encouragement for senior citizens to stay active.

The former President said: “…You can see that they are senior citizens. They are young papas and mamas. Normally, you can only be a member of the club if you are 70 and above. I am just getting to that age.

“The Alake and paramount ruler of Egba land is our Patron. I am a member of the club and the idea is to show and to encourage and to let people know that in growing old, exercise is a vital element to make sure that you grow old gracefully, graciously, and in a way that even when you are old, you are still able to live the way you should live.

“It is an exercise and encouragement. As a piece of advice for people, you can see this is Mama and Baba. This baba is 90 (pointing at some members) and, as you can see him looking (shemu-shemu) really fit.”

The club’s President, Group Captain Ayobamiji Erinfolami (retd.), hailed the former Nigerian leader for demonstrating a strong commitment and leading by example.

Also, a close aide to the former President, Elder Udo Umoren, described the walk as “the needed tonic to keep us going”.

He added: “As the former President’s aide rightly said, this is meant to keep us growing graciously and gracefully. We shall continue to appreciate him for this kind of motivation and encouragement as we continue to grow into our old age.” (The Nation)

Update news