- Photo:Dr. Yemi-Esan(centre) and others at the Aerobics and Sports organised for Civil Servants, 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 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 pointer to its sustainability.
Dr. Yemi-Esan, CFR 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.”
Dr. 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, 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 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 event also featured, include, “Best Behaved Team.” The 1st position was awarded to the OHCSF, the 2nd went to Federal Ministry of Education, while the 3rd position was given to the Office of Auditor General of the Federation.
The 1st position for the “Best Kitted Team,” was presented to the Federal Ministry of Works, while the 2nd was given to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the 3rd went to the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
Also, the 1st place for the MDA with the “Highest Attendance,” was awarded to the Federal Ministry of Works with a total number of 289 workers, in attendance, while the 2nd and 3rd positions were won by the Federal Ministries of Transportation, with 159 and Aviation, with 151, respectively.
Lastly, the 1st position for the “First in Attendance,” was received by the Federal Ministries of Transportation with that of Agriculture and Food Security coming 2nd and Innovation, Science and Technology, 3rd.
In attendance at the event were Transformative Permanent Secretaries from various MDAs, Directors and workers from Agencies, according to a press statement by M. A. Ahmed;
Director, Communications, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.