The Director-General of Michael Imuodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu has said that the sustenance of sports culture at the Institute has enhanced productivity, even as he hinted on plans to open new frontiers, especially in partnership with other institutes.
Speaking to newsmen after the 26th edition of the Monthly Keep Fit Exercise today, Saturday March 2, 2024, at the premises of the Institute, he said that the sports culture was introduced in line with the directive of the Federal Head of Service (HOS), that all public workers should ensure monthly exercise.
He equally added that the keeping fit exercise, which he described as pre-condition for productivity, has come to stay at the MINILS.
“The monthly Keep Fit Exercise, as well as the encouragement of participation in other sports has greatly impacted on the performances of our members of staff, and we have no doubt, increased the tempo of the training. We are the first institute in charge of training and research that has implemented the directive of the HoS on monthly keep fit.
“Our mandate is to build capacity. The numbers of participants we are training has increased. There has been more enthusiasm on the part of members of staff; more initiative, more activities, and more of entrepreneurship, and this cannot be devoid from the fact that they are fit.
“We intend to expand the Keep Fit Exercise to other institutes in form of partnership, so that we can have joint monthly exercise. We cannot have Nigeria getting out of economic quagmire if the work-force is not fit. It’s all about productivity.
“We are also planning to reward participation and consistency, as it will also be adopted as part of criteria for promotion. Apart from sanctioning those who don’t comply, we must also reward those who are consistent.
“We are also expanding our calendar to ensure that apart from regular courses we run, we should also start teaching the work-force the importance of fitness; that you cannot just eat anything, and that you must take a minimum of 6000 steps in a day.
“Employers of labour should equally be encouraged to make provisions for one hour of break, not to go and eat, but to also do exercise, by either walking around, playing table tennis, and others.
The two-hour keep fit exercise included walking and jogging, flexibility exercises and health talks, which were coordinated by Pharmacist Lanre Alege and Niyi Awe of the Kwara State Sports Commission.
