Members of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA Abuja chapter in what has been described as first of its kind, on Saturday held a gym day tagged, “Read, Write & Keep Fit”.
The campaign seeks to bring to fore the need for writers to keep physical fitness even in their tight schedules of research, reading and writing so as to maintain a healthy living.
At the gym day which took place at a facility in the Garki 2 Area of Abuja, members of the association had a field day as the fitness instructors took time to guide them through the use of the equipment even as they sweat it out in the most relaxed atmosphere.
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Chairman of ANA Abuja, Halima Usman said the leadership of the chapter came up with the idea of physical exercise for members as an opportunity to keep the entire body fit, emphasising that as authors, members sometimes pay a lot of attention to mental fitness through reading, researching, writing without considering the need to strike a balance between the mental and general body fitness.
“For the brain to function well, for you to be able to produce more quality intellectual works, you need to keep the entirety of your body safe and sound, you, need to be well and healthy. This is why we came up with event like this where member will come out to participate in various games, including cycling, trade milling, tennis, weight-lifting, and others
“Beyond just gyming, we have also had time to socialise, talk, laugh and play and enjoy one another’s presence without the usual tense ambience of being very serious.
“This is a very good thing and it is the first time something like this is happening in ANA Abuja, and possibly at the national level.
“We are taking the lead as usual, to ensure that our members stay healthy, stay fit and continue to bring out quality intellectual properties in any of the literary genres; poetry, prose and play” she said.
She also encouraged other bodies and the general public to take a cue from ANA Abuja to strike a balance between their work and health.
One of the participants and a member of ANA Abuja, Lady Flora Destiny Ihekweazu while describing the exercise as one of its kind commended the leadership of ANA Abuja for creating such opportunity to enhance healthy living among members.
She expressed hope that similar opportunity will be created to enable members keep fit, healthy and strong.
The Legal Adviser of ANA Abuja, Barr. Charles Iwuchukwu and the immediate past Secretary of the chapter, Jerry Om’Oba Adesewo also tried their might in the game of table tennis to the admiration of all.
The event was in collaboration with non-governmental organisation, HalimaFactor Community Initiative.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Bege Mayamba Daniel noted that the physical fitness of the body plays a great role in making the mind of the intellectuals to be sharp as well.
She said the ambience of the physical exercise provides a new and fresh outlook to what the foremost authors’ body ANA is known for over the years, expressing gladness that the health benefits of the exercise to members is enormous, even as she applauds the turnout.
