A memorial walk was held in Dr. Adetokunbo Alakija’s honour by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Waka Community International Foundation, Q-Life Family Clinic, and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI).
The walk started at the Catholic Church of Divine Mercy in Lekki on Saturday and went through the Ikoyi bridge before returning.
The late Alakija was the Chairman of the Lagos Health Management Agency, Medical Director of Q-life Family Clinic, Board Member of the NCF and a member of the Waka Community.
The NCF’s Director-General, Dr. Joseph Onoja, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the 2023 walk was held in honour of Alakija, a beloved board member.
Onoja characterised the deceased as a gentleman and everything to everybody.
“His life was an illustration of somebody who was very impactful. So, as a board member, we thought it wise as an organisation that we should come out to walk with his family and his organisation, and all the other people associated with him when he was alive.
“It is quite interesting to know that during the last edition of the walk last year that he was part of it.
“So, that was why we thought that it was necessary to come and use this opportunity to honour a very honorable man who lived his life for nature and for people,” Onoja said.
The walk in 2023 will be the third iteration of Waka with Q-Life and HEI, according to Mr. Lorenzo Mba, the organization’s founder.
The 2023 version, according to Mba, was extremely special since it was held in remembrance of Dr. Adetokunbo Alakija, who marched with the Saints in May 2022.
“Alakija was a good man and an avid ‘Wakathelete’ (a name we call members of Waka Community International Foundation) and we aim to immortalise his name.
“We made a promise and we are continuing to deliver on that promise. We gave our word and we are keeping our word,” Mba said.
He said that the walk and presentation of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid were motivated by the belief that a healthy Nigeria is a prosperous Nigeria.
According to him, it is worthwhile to enlighten, educate, and urge Nigerians and the rest of the globe to take personal responsibility for their health by walking, eating healthily, and getting enough sleep.
He stated that the over 3,200 members of the Waka Community in over 40 countries and numerous Nigerian towns were urged to exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday, eat healthily in controlled amounts, and get enough sleep.
Mba stated that walking is the oldest and safest type of physical exercise that is not discriminating based on age, gender, or degree of fitness.
“Walking also has many benefits such as helping maintain a healthy weight and helping lose unwanted and undesirable fat.
“Walking helps prevent or manage various conditions including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes.
“Walking also helps to improve cardiovascular fitness. Walking contributes to clearing the mind and it boosts our moods.
“Walking is a low impact exercise and so it is gentle on the ankles and knees. We encourage folks to walk indoors or outdoors depending on choice, safety or convenience.
“Walking is also inexpensive. One can walk bare feet indoors and on beaches. To walk outdoors require nice fitting and affordable running shoes. So, what’s really stopping you from walking,? Mba asked.
Alero Alakija, one of the deceased’s children, said that her father had a strong love for walking.
Alero expressed her gratitude to all the individuals and non-governmental organisations that came out in large numbers to pay tribute to her father.
The Executive Director of HEI, Mr. Pascal Achunine, stated in his message of goodwill that the event was proposed to raise awareness of the value of leading a healthy lifestyle in addition to paying tribute to Alakija.
Walking, according to Achunine, is a crucial part of maintaining good health.
“One of the key things that happened today is conducting of CPR and First Aid training given a little tip on what people should do when emergency happens.
“We have trained over 4,500 organisations in Lagos on how to respond to emergencies.
“So, those who participated in this walk learnt the tips of CPR.
“There is also a clarion call, especially to you the press to call people’s attention on the need to conduct CPR first aid training for organisations individuals and churches,” Achunine said.
Instead of snapping images and posting them to social media, he advised doing CPR on victims of heart attacks and cardiac arrest.
“So, we enjoin everybody to be part of saving lives,” Achunine said.
The event was graced by people from all walks of life.
