Lagos – The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Sunday described the death of Ondo State former governor, Olusegun Agagu, as a great loss to the state and the nation.

This assertion is contained in a statement issued by the NMA National President, Dr Osahon Enabulele, in Lagos.

“It was with shock and great distress that the leadership of the NMA learnt of the demise of the former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu.

“The former governor was reported to have slumped and died in his Lagos residence on Friday, Sept. 13, after returning from his vacation in the USA.

“We deeply condole the entire Agagu family and the government and people of Ondo State over the sudden loss of their former governor,’’ he said.

Enabulele said the circumstances surrounding the death reinforced the association’s call on Nigerians to collaborate with the NMA to promote its campaign on healthy living.

He called on Nigerians to cultivate the right habit of consulting their licenced doctor for periodic health check-ups.

The NMA president said regular health check-ups could help reduce spine-chilling incidence of sudden deaths among Nigeria productive men and women.

Enabulele urged the state governor to declare a public holiday dedicated to free health check-up for citizens of the state as a way of immortalising late Agagu.

He said the association was ready to partner with the state government to conduct the health check-up for its citizens.

This, the NMA said, would be part of the strategy for the reduction of the incidence of non- communicable diseases and sudden deaths.

“We equally renew our call on the Federal Government to declare a public holiday for health check-ups in Nigeria, at least once a year.

“The programme should be followed by some incentives to encourage Nigerians to subject themselves to the exercise.’’ (NAN)