UDUS Fitness Revolution: Where Exercise meets Enjoyment

By Shamsudeen Abubakar 

With a radiant smile, Safwan Abubakar, a 300-level student of UDUS, danced effortlessly across the Makasi hostel verandah. His hands waved freely in the air as he twirled his shirt, playfully heading towards an empty bucket to get water. “An bar ku abaya ‘yan gida,” he exclaimed, meaning, “those who stayed home have missed out on so much.” His vibrant dance moves, accompanied by Fab biscuits in his hands, suggested a special encounter that had left him feeling jubilant.

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As he dashed to fetch water, his enthusiasm grew. Upon getting the water from his neighbours bucket, he retrieved his sponge and MP3 player from his room, filling the atmosphere with music. He jogged around, enthusiastically mimicking the “eyi eyi yeah” refrain. “Kai! Today was fun!” He shouted, attempting to calm down and greet Lagos Voice correspondent. 

“I am coming back from the fitness trek,” Safwan told Lagos Voice correspondent. “I had so much fun. I have even made new friends, and connected with people I had always wanted to have a minute chat with.

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“God will bless the inventor of this fitness trek. This fitness trek is a very wonderful event. Of all the events in this school, I value this trek most,” he beamed, adding that he wished to have more fun the day after.

Evolution of Fitness Trek in UDUS 

In February, 2016, Mr. Bello Audu, the Chief Consultant Economics DTGES, TEDR and Innovation Economist UDUS, invented the UDUS Fitness Trek. It all started when he graduated from UDUS University. His experience from a similar event in the banking sector at the UBA Bank, Sokoto, inspired him to create a social activity for students of UDUS titled “UDUS Fitness Trek.” Mr. Audu contacted Halima Akande, a top official of the Campus Press outlet, Pen Press then, and requested a meeting with the Student Union. After their discussion, the SU swiftly approved it but couldn’t be actualize due to the ASUU strike.

 

“I conceived this initiative realizing that students don’t engage in any social activities. They are always attached to reading books,” Mr. Audu explained. 

“The trek was inspired by my experience with the UBA Sokoto, where staff would come together to unite, have fun, and stay away from the banking activities. We used to chat, discuss and get fit on that day,  it was called ‘Jogging to bond’ then. So I believe it will be good for our students too.”

According to Mr. Audu, upon the school’s resumption, the SU presented the initiative to the school management. The school management through the Dean, Prof Magawata requested for an undertaking, indicating of absence of funds in return for the initiative. 

Upon the acceptance of the UDUS School management, The then Sports director and the Vice President of the Students Union, visited Mr. Audu’s office to further discuss the initiative plan. Mr. Audu along with his team planned a trek from the school to the first gate within the town, with a sound system to motivate students. 

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However, funding became a challenge to the initiative, leaving Mr. Audu and his team to rely on limited resources. Due to short notice, Mr Audu oblige to fund all the logistics as he could not get help from NGOs, and organisations within the Sokoto metropolis. 

“We kept the event going with the little we have. We went on the directives of the chief security from the first gate to Kwalkwalawa, and moved on through the back of the first gate. 

“Students joined us from UDUTH and City campus, School security members, Press members, and photographers. We had a memorable day. We discuss, trek, exercise, and have fun.” Mr. Audu explained.

When asked about the motive of the Fitness Trek initiative, Mr. Audu explicitly stated that the initiative aims to create something that will bring the students together, have a social activity that is good to their body system, and improve their fitness and discharge them from the pressure of academics and reenergize them. 

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“This is an event that can be sustainable and I am very happy now because every successful Students’ Union Government has ensure the smooth running and recently I saw UDUS staff having similar fitness treks too, which all point down to my invention.” He added that he’s happy building a legacy that people want to know about him now.

 

 

Despite not being adequately recognised for that, Mr. Audu was very happy because he brought what people were enjoying. The event was held with the participation of a Professor in education and some other Professors, security advisers, and the Dean. Despite some challenges, the recreational activity was successful, and the initiative has been sustained by every successful SU government.

 

UDUS Fitness Trek, Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea 

 

Mukhtar Shafiu, a 300-level student of education, felt bad because he missed the fitness trek. He failed to attend it as he couldn’t afford the costume to wear on that day.

“I woke up with the intention of attending the fitness trek but unfortunately, I don’t have the costume. The only alternative I have was nowhere to be found,” he said feeling disappointed.

Another student who couldn’t attend the fitness trek is Jabir Sani, a final year student of Curriculum Studies. He sees no fun in students coming together to trek. He however, found it difficult to accumulate with the larger society.

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“I prefer to eat and sleep than going to the fitness trek. Everybody has what impresses him but I do find my joy in watching films and sleeping,” he said, that was his fun.”

More Students Continue to Celebrate

For Suadeeqah Sa’eed, a political science student, the trek is a symbol of unity,  it brought students together with friends, that one misses for a while. The atmosphere was good for her as everybody was seen dancing freely and leaving unsocialised people to be carried along. 

While speaking to the Lagos Voice, Suadeeqah suggested that: “The SU should bring this Fitness initiative every semester for people that missed the first semester because people don’t even do exercises these days,” she affirmed, saying, “I am one of them.”

She further expressed that she was so happy through the fun experienced. Though, the fitness trek was so tiring that she wasn’t able to do anything after the event. But she really felt healthy, and regained her energy after the whole event. “It was a good social activity. Thank you so much UDUS.” She concluded.

Like Suadeeqah, Ahmed Raji Onimisi, a final year student, also expressed that the fitness trek was cool and nice to him.

It was the first time in his life to have such a trek. Ahmed had the opportunity of meeting his friends, roomies, Asiya, the lady whom he was crushing on, and faces that put a lasting smile on his face.

He added that he had pains all over his body after waking up but he lost the pains after the fitness trek. “I really give special thanks to the organizers of this fitness trek and great UDUS aspirants.”

“It would be more fun if lecturers could join too. But due to their age, and societal conviction, students won’t feel comfortable with their presence.”

Similarly, Fatima Muhammad from the English and Literary Studies department also expressed her enthusiasm. She stated that the fitness trek was full of fun. 

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“It is the only fun we have in the school. SU really tried. The only problem is that it lacks proper organization, DJ supposed to be in the middle of the students not behind them. Playing language music like Yoruba music is not proper because he was killing the vibes since it’s not everybody that understands the song.”

She emphasized that SU should add games and some social sports activities on the day to make it more lively. Parade, bicycle riding, displaying skills such as dances and many things to make it more fun unlike the FYBs.

Furthermore, Fatima added; “I want to appreciate the person that brought this idea of Fitness Trek because the school would have been so boring. He really tried to bring an initiative that would bring students together, while not going against the school rules.

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“I unite with friends that I haven’t met since UG1 with this fitness trek; it brought us together. We snapped pictures and had fun. A very big thank you to the initiator of this idea from my end and my friends. He really tried.” She acknowledged.

SU CTC Chairman Insight on Successful Fitness Trek

Speaking with the Campus Press Outlet, News Digest Press, Naziru Yusuf Shehu, the SU-CTC Chairman expressed his excitement for successful completion of the fitness trek event.

The SU made the event come back to life seeing how people wanted it. “We have to postpone it for others to resume school.”

Speaking regarding the challenges he encountered during the fitness trek, he stated that it was only in the music aspect that they had problems. “We sent our PRO to guide the DJ when people complained about the kinds of music being played.”

“We even sent our vehicles to UDUTH and the teaching hospital for others to join us. People were as happy as we expected. We ended it peacefully.” He stated, with a sigh of relief.”

Naziru concluded that the Union also realizes students are lacking in social activities, that’s why they kept the legacy of their predecessors. He also promised that they are planning to bring up another initiative similar to the fineness trek as the students needed more fun.

 

Photo Credit: Mayor