The Dean Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Professor Muyiwa Owolabi, says stroke is the second killer disease in the world.

Professor Muyiwa made the disclosure at the First Stroke Risk Assessment Symposium organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, in collaboration with Stroke Investigative Research Network and Blossom Centre for Neuro
Rehabilitation held at Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.

Delivering a lecture during the event, Professor Muyiwa represented by Dr. Kingsley Nwankwo from the Stroke Control Innovatives Initiation of Nigeria, said that high blood pressure, too much intake of alcohol and salt, stress, obesity, depression among others, can lead to stroke and advised that people must do away with all the risk factors that can
metamorphosed into stroke.

The University Don who revealed that statistics have shown that one in every adult above the age of twenty five years is hypertensive, harped on the need for regular check up, eating of balanced diet as well as regular exercise to run away from risk factors of stroke, and noted that stroke if detected early, can be manageable.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Mrs. Kate Edozieh in a welcome address explained that the symposium was equally organized to mark the fifth Anniversary of the United Anambra Youths Assembly and Ebelechukwu Obiano Ladies Movement.

She noted that a health risk assessment is a powerful screening tool which is often the first step to any medical diagnosis implemented in order to gain a clear understanding of the population’s evolving health status and risks, so that those risk assessment can motivate the individual to identify point of risk exposure and adopt healthier lifestyle.

In a goodwill message, a former Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, who is the Founder of the United Anambra Youths Assembly as well as the General Overseer of the Ebelechukwu Obiano Ladies Movement, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, called on the citizenry to take good care of their health at all times, as there is no alternative to a sound body and soul.
Participants at the symposium underwent free stroke checks and counseling.

The First Stroke Risk Assessment Symposium in Commemoration of the world Stroke Day has its theme as “Sustaining Good Health and Well-being (Sustainable Development Goal Three) by Creating Awareness on Stroke”.