The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has reiterated her commitment towards sustaining the culture of sporting activities and aerobics in the Civil and Public Service.
She also stated that the number of Permanent Secretaries, who are always present for the physical exercise, is a pointer to its sustainability.
Yemi-Esan disclosed this at the Aerobics and Sports organised for Civil Servants across various Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs) held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2024 Civil Service Week celebrations on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
The HoSF explained that the exercise is as important as feeding our stomachs. She further buttressed that for Civil Servants to be able to function efficiently and be more productive, they must be healthy and so the aerobics and sporting event is to encourage them to participate frequently because “a healthy mind can only operate in a healthy body”.
Yemi-Esan implored Federal Civil Servants to make adequate use of the Wellness Centre domicile in the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation for both their physical and mental fitness.
She also urged workers, across all the MDAs, to engage in regular sporting exercises and ensured to adopt exercise as a daily habit. She added that Civil Service as the engine room of the government should be healthy in order to give their best to the country.
In his Goodwill message, Hon. Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, thanked the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for sustaining the tradition of aerobic exercise in Public Service, adding that the event reiterates the need for every individual to imbibe physical fitness into their lifestyle.
He emphasised that there will be better and increased productivity in the country if we have a fit and healthy workforce.
In her Opening Remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office in OHCSF, Dr Deborah Odoh, admonished the Civil Servants to have a work life balance by frequently engaging in body exercise.
The event featured football competitions from 16 teams across various MDAs which was won by the Federal Ministry of Sports Development.
The 1st position in the ‘Best Team’ category was awarded to the OHCSF, second spot went to Federal Ministry of Education, while the 3rd position was given to the Office of Auditor General of the Federation.
The 1st position in the ‘Best Kitted Team’ category was presented to the Federal Ministry of Works, while the 2nd spot was given to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Third position went to the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
‘Healthy mind only operate in healthy body’ – HoSF, Yemi-Esan tasks civil servants on exercise