…Walk now, live 100 years
By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The motorcycles, popularly known as Okadas, recently banned in some local governments and local council development areas, have taken over Agboyi Ketu, the monthly fitness walk in Lagos.
The Agboyi Ketu monthly fitness walk was initiated by Mayor Dele Oshinowo shortly after he resumed office as executive Chairman of Agboyi Ketu Lcda during his first tenure in office.
The monthly fitness program is geared towards maintaining a healthy weight and losing body fat; preventing or managing various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, and type 2 diabetes; improving cardiovascular fitness; and strengthening bones and muscles, among others.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown protocol and guidelines in 2020 led to the indefinite suspension of the well-embraced and first-of-its-kind health improvement exercise.
While residents of Kosofe, including Agboyi ketu and Ikosi Isheri, waited patiently for the continuation of the exercise, the Lagos State Government banned the general public from using popular modes of transportation and fast means of transportation amid unaddressed terrible traffic.
The councils affected by the new ban order issued on August 19, which became enforceable on September 1, are Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Somolu, and Mushin. LCDAs affected are Ikosi-Isheri, Agboyi-Ketu, Isolo, Ejigbo, Bariga, and Odi-Olowo.
The development has triggered a surge whereby passengers are more than the available tricycles ( Keke Marwa) and minibuses ( Korope) transportation systems to commute them to their respective destinations.
As a result, residents of the affected local councils have embarked on a long-distance walk over the past two weeks.
While residents, commuters, and road users have continued to lament the social, economic, security, and general election impacts of the Okada ban, they, however, failed to realize the greater health benefits through the daily long walks that will guarantee long life expectancy.
According to Business Insider, “Taking 10,000 steps a day is often touted as a good way to maintain fitness levels. Previously, researchers have reported that there is a lowered risk of dementia, heart disease, cancer, and death among those achieving 10,000 steps a day.
“While 10,000 steps per day is considered ideal for improving health, a study published September 6 in JAMA Neurology found that as few as 3,800 steps per day have benefits, and walking at a faster pace is even better.”
Researchers from the University of Sydney looked at data from 78,430 mostly white UK adults aged 40 to 70, comparing step counts, average speed, and health outcomes over about seven years of follow-up.
They discovered that taking 2,000 steps per day reduced the risk of dying prematurely by 8-11 percent, up to 10,000 steps per day.
Researchers from the University of Sydney looked at data from 78,430 mostly white UK adults aged 40 to 70, comparing step counts, average speed, and health outcomes over about seven years of follow-up.
They discovered that taking 2,000 steps per day reduced the risk of dying prematurely by 8-11 percent, up to 10,000 steps per day.
However, walking 3,800 steps per day had benefits, particularly for brain health, lowering the risk of dementia by 25%, according to data. People who walked approximately 9,800 steps per day had a 50% lower risk of dementia.
The take-home message here is that for protective health benefits, people should know that, beyond Okada’s ban reducing fatal accidents and crime rates in Kosofe and other affected parts of Lagos State by the aggressive and critical life-saving mission of the government, it has equally helped to enhance citizens’ lives, among others, at no cost.