BY IKENNA ASOMBA

Saddened by the high level poor state of health of most citizens of the country, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Professor Rafiu Okuneye, has called on government, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector to emphasize the need for qualitative physical and health education, especially in the basic schools curricula.

Okuneye, who was delivering the 50th Inaugural Lecture of the university titled; Human Body, Human Wellness: The Perpetual Antidotes, said it has become imperative for young members of the society to be taught on the importance of physical and health education to healthy living and long life from the basic levels.

While noting that education is not all about teaching how to speak English or other foreign languages, Okuneye said that physical and health education in basic education should be given more attention.

“There should be legislation that space for play and practical physical education is a condition for the establishment of privately owned schools. One storey building nursery/primary schools would not provide an all-round educational development for the children.”

The Professor of Exercise Physiology recommended that for a healthy society to be attained, “there is need for every individual to value his or her body more than hitherto with regards to what goes into the body, how it is exposed and how it is used.

Henceforth, we should ignore all distractions and destroy all barriers/impediments and start to exercise in order to keep fit, live actively, carry ideal weight for our height and stay healthy.”

As a healthy society can’t be attained without government’s intervention, the don stressed that government should promote and encourage active life among people by creating conducive environment for people to regularly participate in physical activities.

His words; “Two clear approaches are needed. Firstly, the National Assembly is to have a second look at the National Health Bill. Beyond statement on healthy living, there should be clear statements on practical approach to preventive medicine. Secondly, both at the federal and state level, it should be legislated that every housing estate should leave ample space for recreational facilities. Unless facilities are close to people, they will not be enthusiastic about engaging in exercises.”

While lauding Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on his enhancement of grassroots sports development, Okuneye, however, appealed to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa to approve the proposal for upgrading the Department of Physical and Health Education which according to him, “is Exercise Physiology Laboratory to Human Movement Centre. This is because people need to attend the centre also for therapy beyond ordinary exercise.”