NUJ NAN 2025 Health Week Kicks Off With free Medical Screening in Partnership With Lions Club
NUJ NAN 2025 Health Week Kicks Off With free Medical Screening in Partnership With Lions Club
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Lagos Chapel flagged off its 2025 Press Week with a health-focused outreach at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, in collaboration with the Lions Clubs International District 404B on Monday September 24, 2025.
The event began with a brief opening ceremony followed by medical screening provided by medical volunteers from the Lions Club. The initiative aimed to promote early detection and awareness of diabetes and hypertension, particularly among media professionals who are often exposed to stress and irregular work routines.
Participants, including journalists, health workers, and members of the public, gathered at the stadium for the screening, which included blood sugar testing, blood pressure checks, and basic health consultations.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the NUJ NAN Chapel, Mr Yusuf Yunus, said the initiative was part of the union’s commitment to the health and well-being of its members, noting that preventive care is crucial in managing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
“Journalists are constantly on the move, often neglecting their health. This health week is a reminder that our well-being is just as important as the stories we cover,” the Chairman stated.
Welcoming participants, the Head of Editorial NAN, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Omowole, speaking on behalf of the Management described the initiative as timely, noting that journalists often focus on reporting about others that they forget to pay attention to their own well-being.
Omowole commended the NUJ leadership for prioritizing members’ welfare through wellness talks, medical screenings and fitness activities, all of which are designed to equip journalists with the knowledge and tools to live healthier lives despite the demands of their profession.
Mrs. Vivian Ihechu, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee and the President of the Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN), explained that the Press Week will run for three days and include a Cultural Day on Tuesday, where members will showcase Nigeria’s diversity in traditional attire, followed by a symposium on Wednesday focusing on the oil and gas sector with leading industry experts in attendance.
She stated that the week will close with visits to a motherless babies’ home and an elderly care facility as part of the Union’s corporate social responsibility efforts.
District Governor of Lions Club International, Lion Pharmacist, Adebowale Afolayan, emphasized the organization’s dedication to community service, particularly in areas of vision, diabetes, childhood cancer, hunger, and the environment. On his part, he described the collaboration as a “win-win” partnership.
Afolayan explained that journalists amplify the work of the Lions Club so that people in need can access help, while the Lions, in turn, support the health of journalists to enable them to continue serving the society.
He warned that diabetes remains a silent killer, with more than 500 million people worldwide living with the disease, many of them are undiagnosed.