Kunle Adelabu & Usman Aroyewun (Trainee)
The lgbogbo Kingdom in lgbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has officially commenced activities for its 38th Igbogbo Day Celebration with an awareness programme tagged “Walk for Life”, aimed at promoting healthy living, physical fitness and community unity.
The exercise, held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, attracted a large crowd of residents, community leaders, groups and other notable personalities who participated in the fitness walk organised by the Igbogbo Day Planning Committee under the auspices of the Igbogbo Development Association (IDEA).
Held under the theme, “Walk for Progress, Growing in Glory,” the programme was designed to encourage residents to embrace regular physical exercise while creating awareness about the forthcoming annual celebration.
Speaking during an interview, Princess Basirat Adetutu Banjoko, Council Leader of Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), described the programme as an opportunity for residents to improve their health and create awareness about the 2026 Igbogbo Day celebration.
She called on sons and daughters of Igbogbo Kingdom, both living home and outside the community, and residents alike to participate actively in the celebration.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the sons and daughters of Igbogbo Kingdom, both home and abroad, as well as residents to come out and participate fully, as we usually do yearly, so that we can have a memorable 2026 Igbogbo Day celebration”, she said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr Kasali Adeniran Waheed, described the programme as an avenue to sensitise residents on the importance of healthy living and taking personal responsibility for their health.
He noted that regular exercise helps keep the body active and enables individuals to remain physically fit for their daily activities.
Also speaking, community leader and IDEA member, Babatunde Efuwape, explained that the Walk for Life was organised to promote medical fitness and encourage residents to make physical exercise part of their daily routines.
He noted that the exercise was an avenue to remind residents that the annual celebration would go ahead, regardless of the circumstances, while emphasising the importance of maintaining good health.
In his contribution, Alhaji Ganiyu Oduntan, a banker and community leader, emphasised the importance of making physical exercise a regular habit.
He explained that walking helps exercise the body, strengthen muscles and maintain physical fitness, urging residents across different age groups to take the activity seriously.
Oduntan also encouraged young people to embrace sports and physical activities instead of engaging in drug abuse and other harmful practices.
“Walk for Life should not just be for today alone. It should be a recurrent event that you do every time”, he advised.
Residents in their hundreds were seen walking from the Adeboruwa palace, which was the point of convergence, through Adeboruwa Road, Odofin Road to Yewa junction to connect Igbogbo/Baiyeku Road, Zumratul/Offin/Oreta junction to Akin Ogunlewe Avenue from where they connected Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, Oreyo, Rep. Babajimi Benson Road (formerly Igbe Road) and from there connected Oba Molaja Road and back to the Adeboruwa palace.
Other notable personalities that joined the walk were Omo:ba Hammed Aroyewun, Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA: Hon. Saidat Adeoba Odeyemi, Councilor representing Ward C3; Alhaji Sheriff Jinadu; Mr Gbenga Oduniyi, Chairman, Achievers’ Crew; and Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo, President, Igbogbo Youth Forum and Dr. Abdulfatai Andu, a medical practitioner and youth leader among others.
