The former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has opened up on how he has coped with diabetes for 40 years, successfully, even though the disease has no cure.
Over the years, Obasanjo’s lifestyle discipline, healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, routine medical checkups and strict adherence to prescribed medication have helped him manage the condition.
Obasanjo’s disclosure was reported on Sunday during the launch of the “Lagos to the World” expedition, a global road journey to promote cancer awareness, early detection and African integration.
The event took place at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former president highlighted the importance of living healthy and getting medical help early, commending the initiative conceived by BMW enthusiast and entrepreneur, Erik Nwagwu, in honour of his late mother and sister who died of cancer.
He lauded Nwagwu for transforming a personal tragedy into a campaign that might help a lot of people.
Sharing his own health journey, Obasanjo said, “I have a disease that is not yet curable, and that’s diabetes. I was diagnosed with diabetes over 40 years ago. “I still do it.”
The ex-president said that he has been able to stay physically active at his age only because he maintains a strict lifestyle routine.
“But what shall I do? I play squash three times a week when I am around, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I eat what I watch.
“Diet can be fun, can be enjoyable. But if you eat badly then the consequences can also be bad for you. And then rest,” he said.
“Adequate rest is just as important as proper nutrition and exercise,” he emphasizes, adding that his methodology of healthy living is summed up in what he calls “DREMS”.
So diet and rest and exercise are very, very important. And then there’s what I call DREMS. D stands for Diet, R for Rest, E for Exercise and M for Medical,” Obasanjo added.
He stressed the importance of early detection and regular medical checks, urging Nigerians to take their regular health screening seriously.
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