Reps consider Bill on national fitness day

If a Bill being considered by the House of Representatives sails through eventually, a day would be set aside each year as a national fitness day.

Yesterday, the Bill passed through the second reading on the floor of the House presided by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

The sponsor of the Bill, Mr. Diri Douye (PDP-Bayelsa) explained that by the time the bill is passed into law, the first Saturday of the month of June each year would be set aside as a “National Fitness Day” in Nigeria.

Douye while leading debate justified the initiative, saying it was aimed at encouraging and inspiring the physical and health fitness of Nigerians.

He argued that lack of physical activities results in poor health, which could lead to death, adding it could impact negatively on the economy in terms of healthcare or loss of manpower.

According to Douye, the World Health Organization says lack of exercise causes as many as one in 10 premature deaths around the world each year.

“Exercise has long been known to lower risk factors like high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol which in turn reduces the risk of heart diseases and diabetics,” he said.

The lawmaker said the bill would encourage the private sector and all Nigerians to recognise fitness day and mark the day with local events and initiatives promoting the importance and use of recreational sport and fitness facilities.