Obasanjo Foundation to screen 10m Nigerians for diabetes

The Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation has disclosed that it would screen 10 million Nigerians for diabetes within the next one year.

 The president and chief executive officer of the foundation, Dr Olalekan Makinde, disclosed this to journalists at a press briefing organised to mark the 2021 World Diabetes Day at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

• PODCAST: A Deeper Look At How Some Nigerian Elites ‘Siphon’, Hide Loots
• Sheikh Abubakar Gumi’s widow dies at 88

Earlier in his remarks, former President Obasanjo advised those living with diabetes to manage the disease well by maintaining healthy lifestyle, saying though it has no known cure, it is not a  a killer disease.

Obasanjo said he was diagnosed of diabetes over 40 years ago, adding that he has been able to survive the disease by maintaining good healthy diet and regular exercise.

“Diabetes is a disease that affects people across the globe. It is not limited by age, race, geographical location, social position, religious beliefs or political association.

“It is a disease that strikes you, whether you are white, black or yellow. And it is a disease that, for now, there is no known cure, but it can be managed like others.

“And to know that it can be managed, I think I am a typical example. I was diagnosed of diabetes more than 40 years ago. The fact that after 40 years of being diagnosed of this disease, I am still alive, kicking and walking about, doing all the things within my limit that I would want to do, carrying out my exercises and going places, is an indication that if you are diabetic you can manage it,” he said.