AS Nigerian joined to rest of the world to celebrate this year’s World Heart Day (WHD), the Executive Director of the Nigerian Heart Foundation, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye has said that the World Heart Federation and its members are challenging people to take charge of their family’s heart health as well as become their home’s advocate for heart-healthy living.

Akinroye who stated this during an inaugural meeting of the Nigerian Heart Foundation WHD Committee, noted that Global Leaders have recognised the urgency to prioritise the prevention and control of Cardiovascular Disease with other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cancers, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes by holding the first ever United Nations High-level Summit on NCDs, 10 days before WHD.

This year’s campaign, according to Akinroye reflects the importance of elevating NCDs up the global health agenda and each individual’s responsibility to incorporate heart-healthy behaviours in the homes.

Speaking on the celebration in Nigeria, Akinroye said the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF) has lined up activities to commemorate the day in Lagos.

According to him, although the World Heart Day will be celebrated globally on 29 September; the Nigerian Heart Foundation will commemorate this year’s event with activities starting from October 2011. The theme of this year’s celebration is “One World, One Home, One Heart.”

Activities lined up to mark WHD celebration 2011, in Nigeria include a Heart Walk through Lagos Island, Concerts, Drama and Arts competition etc.