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66-year-old retired civil servant shines at Abuja marathon
A 66-year-old retired civil servant, Glad Ali Gashi, on Friday stole the show after successfully completing the 21-kilometre “Peace and Unity” Marathon Race in Abuja.
The marathon, which was the second edition, was organised by a non-governmental organisation, The Apo Progressive Foundation (APF) to celebrate the 2026 Democracy Day and foster national unity.
Mr Gashi, an indigene of Adamawa State, who retired from the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, finished in the 21st position out of numerous participants.
He said during an interview that his passion for long-distance running began in 1980 during his secondary school days.
He explained that his routine running became a staple for Abuja residents during his active service years, when he would run from Nyanya to Area 1 and back before getting ready to report to the office.
”People living at Old Karu and Nyanya got used to me. One person told me that anytime he happens to see me at the old CBN, he knows that he is early to work, but when he meets me at AYA, he knows that he is late because I used to maintain the same pace,” Mr Gashi stated.
Despite his advanced age, the sexagenarian boasted a clean bill of health, attributing his agility and physical strength to decades of consistent cardiovascular exercise.
He noted that he has never been diagnosed with any underlying illness, which gave him the confidence to contend with younger athletes in the rigorous 21km race.
”I have never been diagnosed with any sickness and that is why I participated in the 21km race.
“Although, I didn’t win, coming in the 21st position is an encouragement to me and my age-mates to imbibe the habit of exercising to keep fit,” he said.
Mr Gashi, who had represented the country in international veteran races in Kenya and Ethiopia, urged the government and aging citizens to prioritise athletics.
He stated: “My message to people like me is that this exercise prolongs one’s age, sharpens the brain, and keeps you smart.
“The federal government should try and encourage these athletic games for both the upcoming youth and the elderly ones.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of APF, Faleye Adebowale, said the marathon, with the theme, “Let’s Defeat Insecurity,” was designed to encourage citizens, artisans, businessmen, and youths to partner with security agencies through community solidarity.
”We dedicate this Peace and Unity Marathon to June 12. We see what we are battling with security challenges, and that is why we came together to pull this through. By defeating insecurity, we must start by having peace within ourselves,” Mr Adebowale said.
Similarly, the Secretary of APF, Victor Chollom, stated that meaningful physical and economic development could not occur in any community without relative peace.
”People cannot invest their money where there is fear, terrorism, or crisis. You need relative peace to execute the dividends of democracy for your people.
“Youths, who make up about 70 per cent of our national population, must be advocates for peace,” Mr Chollom noted.
In his remarks, Vice President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and Deputy Director of the City Boy Movement (FCT), Mukhtar Akoshile, urged Nigerian youths to embrace patriotism and choose dialogue over violent protests.
”Dialogue gives results; protest does not. When you sit down with leaders as young people, you can set your minds and contribute to the development of the country. Sports is one of the key things that unites everyone globally,” Mr Akoshile said.
Also speaking on community peace, the CEO of Brimax Construction, Ibrahim Zakari, urged residents to look past tribal and religious differences and discard divisive rumours.
There was presentation of cash prizes to the winners in both the male and female categories.
In the male category, Iliya Raymond clinched the first position with record time of one hour, five minutes, and six seconds, walking away with N350,000.
Rothak Sunday came second in one hour, five minutes, and 17 seconds, winning N250,000, while Boyi Gyang secured the third position in one hour, five minutes, and 26 seconds, receiving N150,000.
In the female category, Vivian Obadiah took the first position after running for one hour, 18 minutes, and 24 seconds.
Patience Datyop and Teyei Davou Mwantiyi, both from Plateau State, secured the second and third positions respectively, receiving the same cash rewards as their male counterparts.
(NAN)
Menopause, the natural stage marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years, can significantly affect bone health and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures due to declining oestrogen levels, a medical expert has said.
Although menopause has important health implications, it remains a frequently overlooked issue within Nigeria’s sexual and reproductive health and rights framework.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual periods stop permanently because of declining levels of oestrogen and the loss of ovarian follicular function. As a result, the ovaries stop releasing eggs for fertilisation, making natural conception no longer possible.
Common symptoms associated with menopause include hot flushes, night sweats, irregular menstrual flow, vaginal dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, urinary incontinence, sleep disturbances, mood changes, anxiety and depression.
Perimenopause refers to the transition period leading to menopause and extends until one year after the final menstrual period, while postmenopause begins after a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without menstruation.
In Nigeria, women generally attain menopause around the age of 48 and above as part of the natural ageing process.
Menopause and bone health
Speaking with PT Health Watch, Qudus Lawal, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, said menopause disrupts hormonal balance, leading to increased bone breakdown and reduced bone formation.
According to him, while nearly all women experience some degree of bone loss after menopause because of declining oestrogen levels, not all will develop osteoporosis or sustain fractures.
He explained that bone density before menopause plays a major role in determining a woman’s risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Using a financial analogy, Mr Lawal described bone health as a balance between deposits and withdrawals.
“The stronger the bone density a woman builds before menopause, the better protected she is against the accelerated loss that occurs afterwards,” he said.
Why bone loss increases after menopause
Mr Lawal explained that oestrogen normally suppresses osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue.
However, when oestrogen levels fall after menopause, these cells become more active, while osteoblasts, the cells responsible for building new bone, are unable to replace bone at the same rate.
This imbalance gradually weakens bones and increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Maintaining healthy bones after menopause
Mr Lawal recommended a combination of proper nutrition, regular exercise and preventive healthcare measures to maintain bone health after menopause.
He advised women to consume balanced diets rich in calcium and vitamin D, engage in weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises, and take steps to prevent falls.
“When you take foods and supplements that are rich in those essential nutrients, it helps build the bone,” he said.
He stressed the importance of early intervention, noting that bone density loss is often silent and may not produce symptoms until complications occur.
“One of the ways people present is that they grow shorter. Normally, once you get to a certain age after puberty, you are not supposed to grow shorter.
“But many of our mothers begin to lose height over time, which may result from age-related spinal degeneration and bone loss,” he said.
According to him, many women only become aware of significant bone loss after suffering fractures.
“The fracture can be due to a fall, sometimes a little push that you normally have without having symptoms. Just a little trip in the bathroom could lead to a major fracture,” he added.
READ ALSO: Women demand fertility, menopause coverage in workplace health insurance – Report
Mr Lawal noted that in some countries, bone density screening forms part of routine wellness checks for postmenopausal women, helping identify individuals at high risk and allowing for early intervention.
He urged women to adopt healthy lifestyles and prioritise bone health long before menopause.
According to him, the goal is to ensure women build and maintain strong bone density before menopause to minimise the impact of hormonal changes later in life.
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