Learning to imbibe the culture of healthy lifestyles by eating healthy diets, observing regular exercises and going for regular medical check-ups will no doubt give a child an edge among his peers.
It was with this in mind that Corona Secondary School (CSS), Agbara, Ogun State organised the maiden edition of its ‘Health and Fitness Week.
The event is part of the efforts of the school to ensure that they promote the culture of healthy living for students and parents alike as this will further assist to raise the next generation of healthy citizens.
The week-long event had both internal and external fitness trainers taking participants through a set of routine aerobic exercises on the open field of the school, before sunrise, on each of the days.
Chinedum Oluwadamilola, Principal, Corona Secondary school , Agbara Ogun State said, Health is paramount adding that as a school, they always want children to do well in their examinations, as well as for them to grow up as responsible adult in a healthy body.
Oluwadamilola observes that exercise and fitness have been known to pump oxygen into the brain so that brain cells can function very well, and it is also good to start having healthy feeding habits, regular exercise, very early in life.
While speaking at the Health and Fitness Week, Oluwadamilola stated that there is no better way to start it than in school.
According to her, “This shouldn’t be confused with sports, because it is not about sports, it is just to exercise the body, and that is important to us. As you know, a healthy body would beget a healthy mind. Academics have to do with the mind, and if the body is weak, sluggish, deceased in some cases, a child isn’t going to be able to do anything.
Speaking on the importance of exercise, Oluwadamilola said a habit of exercise on a daily basis would improve sleep which is proven by research, and that would transform to the child’s brain, by making him able to assimilate properly and being at alert.
The principal further said that this exercise, though the maiden edition for the school would henceforth be held every term and will be incorporated in all the three terms.
She advised parents to integrate it as part of their children’s’ route outside the school premises.
Afonume Okwe, guest speaker of the occasion said the essence of the week was to make the children, parents and staff imbibe the culture and the lifestyle of staying fit and healthy.
According to her, “We are trying to raise health awareness, and of cause make the children imbibe the culture and the lifestyle of staying fit and healthy. That is being transmitted to the parents as well because, when you catch the parents, they would ensure propel their children to as well be health conscious.
At the official launch of the teachers and staff fitness center, Olusola Falodun the Parents Teachers Association Chairman, CSS Agbara, said the gym center was necessitated to encourage teachers and staff of the school embrace the fact that living healthy should be a way of life.
“We feel that, healthy living, of which exercising is part of is important in the life of every individual. So this is a project that the PTA supported immensely in terms of financial contribution, and we are glad that it has now been commissioned”, Falodun said.
An ex-student, who also doubles as a fitness trainer, Seun Fadina while speaking to the student on the benefits of regular exercise, said it is good for your heart and lungs efficiency.
KELECHI EWUZIE
