By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

The Abuja’s Zuma Deck of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) led a public awareness walk in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday to mark World Health Day, urging Nigerians to embrace science-based healthcare and ditch deadly misconceptions fueling sudden deaths.

This is as the advocacy committee chairman, Charles Ndukwe has described as key health dangers, targeted self-medication, anecdotal fixes, and the myth of “physical strength equals health. Many people do not seek scientific verification of their health status. When they feel unwell, some resort to self-medication, while others rely on another person’s experience, assuming that because a particular drug worked for someone else, it will work for them,” he said.

Speaking to journalists after an awareness campaign, the First Vice President of Zuma Deck, Hassan Mohammed, who spearheaded the event days after the global April 7 observance, emphasized the theme ‘Together for Science’ to promote regular check-ups over unverified beliefs.

“Today, we are here to commemorate World Health Day. Although it is marked globally on April 7, this is an annual event for us, and we are here to join in the celebration,” he said.

Mohammed warned that ignorance and poor health habits—like skipping routine tests—are behind rising fatalities, often from undetected issues such as hypertension.

“We strongly believe that science is central to achieving proper healthcare outcomes. This outreach is aimed at creating awareness so that people understand what they need to do regarding their health,” Mohammed stated.

“Essentially, we are engaging members of the public to take their health seriously by embracing science as their guiding principle. People should undergo proper medical tests before taking any medication. They should visit hospitals, consult qualified medical professionals, and avoid patronising quacks. This way, they can receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment,” he said.

“On the issue of sudden death, we are witnessing many cases in society today. Often, this happens because people do not seek medical attention or go for routine check-ups,” he noted.

“For instance, some individuals are hypertensive without knowing it because they feel physically strong. If they had visited a hospital earlier, they would have been diagnosed and placed on appropriate treatment, which could prevent such tragic outcomes,” he said.

Drawing from personal experience, Mohammed added: “I have had a personal experience where I believed I was perfectly healthy until I went to the hospital for routine checks and discovered underlying issues. This shows that it can happen to anyone.”

“That is why we are placing strong emphasis on the issue of sudden death, to educate people on the importance of proactive healthcare,” he said.

“The truth is that life itself is rooted in science. When people choose alternative paths that are not based on verified knowledge or research, they put themselves at risk. While a few may appear fortunate, many are not, and we have seen numerous unfortunate outcomes. This is why the message about science-based healthcare must resonate widely,” he added.

Advocacy Committee Chairman Barrister Charles Ndukwe explained the walk’s timing shift due to members’ schedules, with a virtual lecture on ‘Sudden Death: Empiricism versus Diabolism’ set for 8 p.m. that evening.

“This exercise is essentially a sensitisation campaign held in commemoration of World Health Day, which is marked globally on April 7, 2026. Due to other commitments, we had to move our physical activity to today,” he said.

“Many people do not seek scientific verification of their health status. When they feel unwell, some resort to self-medication, while others rely on another person’s experience, assuming that because a particular drug worked for someone else, it will work for them,” he said.

“Many people do not go for regular medical check-ups to determine their health condition. They do not check for conditions such as diabetes, monitor their blood sugar levels, or examine the state of their vital organs. As a result, individuals may be carrying underlying health conditions without knowing it,” he noted.

“There is a common misconception that being physically strong automatically means being healthy. That is not correct. Strength is not equivalent to good health,” he said.

He debunked supernatural attributions for collapses in offices, roads, or while driving: “This explains why we sometimes see people suddenly collapse, in the office, on the road, in restaurants, or even while driving. In many cases, such incidents are quickly attributed to supernatural causes or diabolical influences, especially when the individual is involved in community or political activities.”

“However, these assumptions often lack scientific basis. The human body functions on scientific principles, and health issues should be approached from that perspective,” he said.

“We are advocating for a shift towards a scientific approach in understanding and managing personal health. People should undergo proper medical examinations and rely on professional diagnosis before commencing treatment,” he said.

“It is important to note that many health conditions, when detected early, can be effectively managed or treated before they become life-threatening,” he added.

“Through this awareness campaign and the scheduled lecture, we are inviting members of the public to embrace science-based healthcare practices for their overall well-being,” he said.

Participants drew FCT residents’ attention with placards rejecting quacks and pushing hospital visits, advancing the group’s call for a science-driven, healthier Nigeria.