Organisation urges collective efforts against chronic diseases

In a bid to combat the scourge of chronic diseases among Nigerians, the War against Chronic Disease Initiatives (WACDI) has called for collective efforts among parents and children, regular exercises and medical check-up against chronic disease.

The nongovernmental organisation took to the streets of Somolu, Pangroove, Onipan, and Yaba in Lagos State over the weekend to enlighten residents of the benefits of preventive measures as a more affordable means to living healthy. This walk is coming after research shows that at present, about 8 million Nigerians suffer from hypertension and 4 million have diabetes with 100,000 new cases of cancers diagnosed annually in Nigeria.

Speaking on the theme, Independence from Chronic Disease, Bentoro John, a founding member, highlighted the importance of the sensitisation walk.

“We are trying to sensitise people on the benefits of regular exercise, proper rest, eating a balanced diet, intake of water and regular checkup to know their vital signs and blood sugar level,” he emphasised.

For Bentoro, regular check-up keeps one at the alert of his health status. “When they notice any slight abnormality, health personnel would advise them on what to do”.

Speaking also Esther Onobanjo, the Coordinator, stated that the best solution for chronic disease is prevention and the organisation didn’t only do the walk, they also gave free medical check-up and free supplements.

Onobanjo further recommended that one should go for a medical checkup at least twice monthly. “Although that is ideal, people should practice the habit of eating fruits and vegetables more.”

Making bold its achievement since its establishment two years ago, Oyelade Mayowa Olujide, the President of WACDI, disclosed that the organisation has attended to 1300 Lagosians.

He added: “We have a feedback mechanism. We assist some get to the hospital even with our obesity programme for children.”According to Oyelade, the organisation has the vision to cover Africa, adding that it has been in Lagos for two years now.

“We have an event coming up in Ibadan in December. And we shall expand,” he said.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.