A Corps member serving at the National Assembly, Abuja, Miss Jennifer Obi Ekene on Wednesday organized a health seminar and free test for the teaming staff of the complex.
The programme tagged “Diabetes Prevention Awareness” according to Miss Jennifer was aimed at teaching the thousands of people working at the National Assembly the basic knowledge required to live a diabetics-free life.
She said, “according to International Diabetes Foundation, Nigeria is leading the countries with highest number of people living with diabetes in Sub Sahara Africa with 415,000 people”.
The event had attendance people from different departments in the complex featured a comprehensive lecture on types of diabetes, symptoms of each type, prevention and treatment of the disease.
In her lecture, Miss Jennifer who has been trained on the control of the disease took time to painstakingly explain everything about the disease and urge people to always check their sugar level regularly as that will help them in several ways.
The Corps Member advised the federal government to put more efforts and budgetary allocation into prevention and fighting of diabetes in Nigeria as only healthy individuals can enjoy the infrastructure put in place.
The keynote speaker and resource person, Dr Romanus Okekearu admonished participants to be conscious of the killer disease which he described as manageable disease if proper knowledge is spread across.
Dr Okekearu conducted sugar level test and weight measurement for the interested participants numbering over hundred at the programme.
In his words of admonition, the Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon Ayodele urged the youths to always be agents of positive change whenever they meet themselves.
Ayodele, who highlighted the sterling performance of Jennifer as a Corps member in the NASS encouraged youth to know that their service year is a pivotal level in the lifetime as their good record will open doors of greatness for them.
Speaking shortly after the event, two of the beneficiaries, Miss Mercy Matthew and Mr Filibus Zira Vandu expressed their appreciation to Miss Jennifer noting that the knowledge and awareness they have acquired will go long way in impacting their lives.
Miss Mathew said, “Seriously speaking, attending today’s programme by Jennifer really have great impact on my life and people around me. The knowledge is highly appreciated and I want to recommend this programme to whoever has the capacity to hold it”.
“The time spent here is very appreciated as the lecture and training were timely and important. I also had the opportunity of having my sugar level tested and weight measured”, Mr Vandu said.
Also a Corps member, Hammed Okafor said the action of Miss Jennifer is a motivation and a call to action to all youths.
“What Jennifer did today is an awesome and encouraging. She has taken the lead and I think other colleagues should also toe this path. She has shown how passionate she is to move Nigeria forward and I think we should emulate it”, he said.
Other distinguished personalities that graced the event were senators and honourable members of the nation assembly who were ably represented and led by the representative of the Chairman Senate Committee on State and Local Governments, Senator Abdullah Gumel, the Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon Ayodele, the Deputy National President of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, Mr Ikechukwu Alaribe, members of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, a staff of NYSC and project supervisor, Mrs Aisha Telta and other too numerous personalities.
