Egbewole, Bello, others urge staff to prioritise preventive healthcare, financial wellness
By Tajudeen Babamale and Bashir Dawodu
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has urged members of the University community to prioritise preventive healthcare and financial discipline, saying that a healthy and financially stable workforce is essential to institutional productivity.
Prof. Egbewole gave the charge last Tuesday (September 1, 2026) at the 3rd Annual Health Talk organised by the Board of the University of Ilorin Women Association Pre-Basic and Basic School (UNIWAPSBS), themed “Wellness and Wealth: Achieving Financial and Physical Health for University Staff,” at the University Auditorium.
The Vice Chancellor congratulated UNIWAPSBS for sustaining the programme as he described the initiative as a demonstration of the Association’s commitment to promoting the health and well-being of members of the University community.
He added that the University Management shared the Association’s commitment to healthy living, hence its continued support for the programme.
Prof. Egbewole, who described health as invaluable, urged members of the University community to be conscious, deliberate, and intentional about maintaining their health, noting that, people should not wait until old age or the emergence of health challenges before adopting healthy habits.
While explaining the link between staff welfare and institutional productivity, the Vice Chancellor said a healthy workforce translates to a productive workforce.
He encouraged participants to take advantage of the expert presentations and other activities at the Health Talk to gain knowledge that would help them make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Earlier, the President of UNIWAPSBS, Mrs Muibat Adeola Egbewole, said the theme was chosen to address contemporary challenges confronting women and staff of the University, including financial stress, mental wellness, maternal health, non-communicable diseases, and the need for preventive healthcare.
She described a healthy woman as the bedrock of a healthy home, university, and nation, stressing that adequate health education would empower women and families to make informed decisions.
Mrs Egbewole appreciated the University Management, sponsors, partners, guest speakers, and the planning committee for their support, noting that the programme featured expert presentations, interactive sessions, and free health screenings.
Meanwhile, a Professor of Health Economics at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Raji Abdulgafar Bello, advised members of the University community to live within their means, saying that, financial discipline is essential for peace of mind and overall well-being.
Prof. Bello, who spoke on “Financial Planning during Economic Uncertainties”, cautioned against allowing societal pressure, material possessions, and comparison with contemporaries to determine one’s happiness and sense of worth.
He urged individuals to avoid unnecessary debts and lifestyles beyond their means, advising workers to set realistic financial goals, budget their income, save and invest for the future, and make adequate provision for emergencies and retirement.
The don stressed that financial progress should not be measured by the ability to acquire increasingly expensive possessions as income rises, but by improved financial security, stability, and quality of life.
Speaking on the topic, “Preventive Healthcare: Saving Money through Prevention,” an Associate Professor of Public Health and Consultant Community Health Physician, Dr Hafsat A. Ameen, advised participants to undergo regular medical check-ups rather than waiting until they fall sick before seeking medical attention.
She encouraged staff members to regularly monitor their blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and weight, noting that preventive healthcare helps to detect health challenges early and reduce the financial burden associated with late treatment. She also advised staff members to approach preventive healthcare with wisdom rather than anxiety.
Dr Ameen, who teaches at the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, further urged the staff to break prolonged periods of sitting, eat for their health, and take adequate sleep seriously, as she stressed the importance of adopting simple habits that can promote long-term health and wellbeing.
On his part, a scholar of Health Promotion and Science Education and the Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Prof. Olukunmi ‘Lanre Olaitan, advocated a simple and affordable healthy habit.
Presenting a paper titled “Healthy Living Without Spending Much,” the Family Health Specialist described water as one of the best drinks for healthy living and recommended adequate water intake, including six to eight glasses daily, alongside regular physical movement.
While advising staff of the University of Ilorin and Nigeria in general to learn how to manage stress before it becomes overwhelming, Prof. Olaitan cautioned them against excessive consumption of carbonated drinks.
According to him, healthy living on a budget is determined more by the quality of an individual’s daily choices than by the size of the person’s wallet. He, therefore, urged staff to take proper care of their bodies to ensure better health and wellbeing in the future.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairperson of UNIWAPSBS, Dr Saudat Hamzat, said the Association was established to cater to the children of staff within the University community and assure parents that their wards were in safe hands.
Dr Hamzat commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, and other invited guests for honouring the Association’s invitation. She also urged members of the University community to prioritise their health through regular medical checks and healthy living practices.
