The Provost, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Emmanuel Igoh Odokuma has advised Nigerians to engage in sporting activities to reduce the rate of mental illnesses across the country.
Odokuma also advised governments at all levels to promote sporting activities among Nigerians to grow mentally healthy Nigerians across the country.
He made the call while speaking at the opening of the 2025 conference of Nigeria Association of Sports Science and Medicine, NASSM, organised in collaboration with Pan-African University Life and Earth Sciences (LAULESI, University of Ibadan on Monday.
Odokuma speaking on the theme “Shaping humans and Society Through Science and Medicine of Sports”;; at the conference held in collaboration with PAULESI decried the rate of mental illnesses in the country.
He advised Nigerians to engage in sporting activities to reduce stress, emotional trauma and disorders which may lead to mental illnesses.
He noted that sporting activities help to reduce stress and increase longevity.
The keynote speaker also advised governments at all levels to promote sporting activities among the citizens to increase the life expectancy rate in the country.
He said, “We looked at how medicine and science can shape sports. We addressed issues like humanity, science and sports. We looked at the benefits of sports in medicine. Especially metal health issues.
“In managing mental health issues, sports have very essential roles to play in mental health especially psychiatric problems like depression and anxiety.
“Sports also have economic gains. When we have sporting completions like NUGA games, it promotes the economy of the area where the games are being held. Sports also increase and encourage longevity among the citizens. So, sport is very important. These are the things we looked at as the keynote address”;;.
