Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised elderly Nigerians, particularly octogenarians, to embrace healthier lifestyles through regular exercise, adequate rest and controlled eating habits in order to live longer and healthier lives.
Obasanjo gave the advice on Saturday in Osogbo during a book launch organised in honour of Olatunde Badmus as part of celebrations marking his 80th birthday.
Speaking at the event, the former president praised Badmus for his accomplishments in business and leadership, describing him as a man who consistently placed God at the centre of his endeavours.
“By every standard, you are successful in all your endeavours. Your leadership roles in all the businesses you undertook are impressive. In business and outside business, you always make God your partner,” Obasanjo said.
Welcoming the celebrant into what he humorously described as the “octogenarians’ club,” Obasanjo outlined what he called the “rules” for living beyond the age of 90.
According to him, elderly people should prioritise sleeping for at least eight hours daily, engage in one hour of physical exercise such as walking, and reduce their meals to twice a day.
“At the age of 80, let me welcome you to this club. Let me read the rules of the club to you. Number one, your father and mother must not be alive, you must sleep for eight hours every day, you must undertake one hour of daily exercise like walking, and you must eat only twice a day,” he said.
“With obedience to these rules, your admission is registered and your longevity beyond 90 years is assured,” he added jokingly.
Obasanjo’s advice comes on the backdrop of growing global conversations around ageing, healthy living and longevity. According to global demographic projections, populations around the world are living significantly longer than in previous generations.
For instance, The World Health Organization estimates that by 2030, one in every six people globally will be aged 60 years or older. The number of people aged 60 and above is projected to rise from one billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by the end of the decade.
By 2050, the global population of people aged 60 years and older is expected to double to 2.1 billion, while the number of individuals aged 80 years and above could triple to about 426 million.
Health experts have consistently emphasised that regular physical activity, balanced diets, quality sleep and reduced stress levels play major roles in improving quality of life and extending life expectancy among older adults.
