By Onwa Ekor
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Healthy Billionaires Calabar Walkathon, has organised a fitness walk along the Carnival routes to advocate unity among Cross Riverians and Nigerians at large.
The 12-kilometre walk, themed “Walk for Unity and Sustainable Development,” attracted residents, fitness enthusiasts, corporate organisations and government officials.
Flagging off the exercise at the Millennium Park, Calabar, Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, called for sustainable unity and rapid development among citizens.
He said the theme was apt, as sustainable development could only be achieved through collective efforts by the government, the private sector and citizens.
Owan-Enoh commended the organisers, sponsors, development partners and participating fitness clubs for sustaining the annual event, noting that the initiative has continued to grow in size and impact since its inception.
He lauded partners who have supported the walkathon from its early editions and urged them to sustain the tempo.
Assistant Secretary of the club, Hope Obeten, said the annual walkathon, which began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, was designed to bring the Calabar community together while promoting healthy living and advocacy for social causes.
Obeten said the choice of unity as this year’s theme was informed by the need to foster peaceful coexistence as the country approaches another election cycle.
According to him, participants from different tribes, ethnic groups and political affiliations must recognise their shared identity and work together for societal development.
“No matter the divide, no matter the political parties we belong to, nothing will be as strong as unity going into an election year,” he said.
He disclosed that over the years, the club has embarked on medical outreaches, payment of medical bills for indigent patients and visits to vulnerable families as part of its commitment to improving the wellbeing of residents.
Obeten appealed to Nigerians to maintain peace before, during and after the elections, stressing that political differences should not degenerate into violence.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Samuel Usoro, said the walk was designed to combine fitness with advocacy for sustainable development.
Usoro said the club was using the event to remind Nigerians that religious, ethnic and political differences should not undermine their shared interests.
He urged citizens to demand sustainable development from governments and other stakeholders while also contributing individually to economic growth.
“We are one, we all believe the same and feel the same way. Let us come together and ask for sustainable development from whoever is responsible, be it the public or private sector, including ourselves individually,” he said.
Usoro described the turnout as impressive and thanked sponsors, partners, participating fitness clubs and the media for supporting the initiative.
He encouraged residents to embrace regular physical activity, describing walking as one of the simplest and most accessible forms of exercise, and noted that the average Cross Riverian needs to pay greater attention to physical fitness and healthy living.
He added that the 12-kilometre walk also formed part of activities promoting the state’s annual carnival, as participants trekked the carnival route ahead of the December festival.
