Olu Samuel

No fewer than one hundred persons have benefited from from a free medical check-up organised by the Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union.

The quartely medical check-up, the second edition, took place on Saturday, organized as the second edition of free quarterly medical check-up in Lokoja.

The outreach featured screening for Blood Pressure, blood sugar, body weight, and medical counseling, among others.

The Etsu Lokoja, Chief Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, NYamkpa IV, said the initiative aimed to promote societal wellness,

“We know times are hard, and not many prioritize health. Bringing healthcare to the doorstep can enhance health awareness and encourage early diagnosis.

“Over 100 people were screened, surpassing the 60 attendees in December 2025,” he said.

Dauda-Shelika highlighted that many people fear medical check-ups due to pain or anxiety, stressing the need for public health managers to make healthcare more accessible and friendly.

The royal father commended the Kogi government for healthcare efforts but urged more focus on early diagnosis and preventive care to save resources and lives.

“Government spends more on advanced treatments than on preventive checks,” he noted.

The President, Nupe Natives of Lokoja Development Union, Alh. Abubakar Abdullahi, emphasised the association’s commitment to promoting health and unity among members and the broader community.

Abdullahi, represented by the Union’s Organizing Secretary, Mr. Nasiru Hussaini Idris, said the medical outreach, initiated in 2025, aims to provide health benefits to members and non-members alike.

The Abdullahi highlighted the significance of the event, held at the Etsu Lokoja’s palace, saying, “We are one, we speak in one voice, and we plan programmes that benefit the association and Lokoja environment.”

He urged attendees to show their cultural identity and unity, emphasising that together, they can achieve more.

Abdullahi thanked Kogi State government, led by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for fostering peace in Lokoja.

He appealed to government to recognize the Etsu Lokoja’s palace as the original and historic seat of the Nupe people, saying, “This will facilitate easier administration and benefit indigenous communities.”

In his Health talk, Mr. Emmanuel Olayemi, emphasised the importance of regular health check-ups to determine one’s health status, particularly for diabetes and hypertension.

“What you don’t know can kill; it’s better to know so you can take action,” he warned.

Olayemi explained that diabetes and hypertension can be managed with early detection, and that a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, can help prevent these conditions.

He noted that junk food and excessive carbohydrate consumption contribute to the rising cases of diabetes.

The health officer advised attendees to prioritize regular check-ups at registered hospitals.

A beneficiary, Mr Ebenezer Kisugi, commended the organisers for the medical outreach and encouraged continued efforts to promote health awareness in the community.