Avoid excessive exercise, junk food, alcohol to live longer life- experts warn

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

The Medical Director, Rock Foundation Hospital, Awka, Anambra State, Dr Chukwudi Njelita, weekend, warned that excessive consumption of alcohol, junk foods and strenuous exercises could harm some vital organs in the body, leading to untimely death.

Njelita gave the advice at the 2025 End of the Year Program organised by the Anambra State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), themed Sudden death phenomenon; why fitness alone is not enough, a programme which also had a sub theme, Positioning Anambra for multimillion dollar Sports economy.

According to him, important organs such as pancreas could be damaged leading to diabetes or pancreatic cancer because of alcohol, even as people suffering from cardiovascular diseases could die while jugging or engaging in other simplest exercises.

He, therefore, urged people to always embark on regular medical checks as well as seek medical advice on most suitable exercises and practices to be adopted to enjoy healthy, happier and longevity.

The medical expert also urged retirees to save their gratuity for medication and good food to avoid running into unhealthy conditions that could end their lives abruptly when they should be enjoying the fruits of their labours.

Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and former State Commissioner for Information, Mr Paul Nwosu urged journalists to refrain from drugs and substance abuse, which according to him, would never make anyone write better but rather lead to untimely deaths.

On his part, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Henry Duru, urged sports writers to set agendas for the government and private sectors partnerships towards repositioning the sector for overall wellbeing of the populace.

Duru, who was a keynote speaker at the event, lamented that sports was being neglected in Nigeria, especially in Anambra State, and urged governor Chukwuma Soludo to explore opportunities in the sector through private public partnership (PPP), which according to him, would improve its infrastructure and resources for greater performance and yield maximum results.

“The government’s role must evolve from being the sole funder and operator to becoming a strategic facilitator and regulator through well structured PPAs as we have witnessed in other sectors of the economy such as the agricultural sector. We can unlock private capital for facilities, club management, talent academies, and event hosting, creating a self-sustaining economic cycle," he added.

Responding, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr Christian Aburime explained that the governor was committed towards building a sports economy everyone would be proud of having unveiled various strategies and programmes in the sector.

FactCheck Nigeria reports that the event which started on 11th December with walk for life and free medicare, culminated into award presentations and honours on some deserving citizens, including Mr Christian Aburime; a sports founder, Barr. Chukwudi Oli; Chief Tony Oli, the Pioneer Chairman of Anambra State Sports Development Commission; Anambra State Police Commissioner, Ikioye Orutugu, and Dr Chukwudi Njelita; and Chief Obinna Ezema of Cosmila Suites and Hotel.

Some of the award recipients, Chief Tony Oli and Bar. Chukwudi Oli represented by Mr Marvelous Ezenwa, vowed to continue supporting the leadership of SWAN to hold the government accountable and set the pace for Anambra State to attain its glorious moment in sports.

Earlier speaking, the State Chairman of SWAN, Mr Chimezie Anaso explained that the programme signalled the end of SWAN's week, a week-long activities set aside for journalists in sports sector to relax, brainstorm and chat a cause for greater future.

Anaso noted that implementation of the programme objectives and sessions learnt would go a long way in enabling the government, private sectors and entire citizenry to harness the potential in the sports economy.