Caleb University Postgraduate students take free health awareness, screening to Ketu community

By Jerome Utomi

Residents of Ketu and adjoining communities in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Government Council Development Area of Lagos State, on Saturday, September 12, 2026, benefited from a free health awareness and screening exercise organised by Postgraduate Students of the Department of Mass Communication, Caleb University.

Tagged “Know Your Health; Check, Know and Act,” the initiative brought together men, women, young people and the elderly, providing them with access to basic health checks while exposing them to practical information on healthy living and preventive healthcare.

The exercise was designed not only as a community service initiative but also as a practical demonstration of knowledge acquired by the students in the course, Communication for Development, taught during the just-concluded semester by Dr. Charles Adewale, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication.

The initiative underscored the growing importance of communication as a tool for development, particularly in promoting health awareness, encouraging preventive behaviour and empowering communities to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.

Speaking on “How to Live a Healthy Life,” Omonua Isibhakhomen, a member of the class, advised participants to pay greater attention to what they eat, stressing that healthy living does not necessarily require expensive food.

She encouraged residents to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diets and noted that readily available foods such as carrots and other locally accessible produce could contribute positively to overall health.

According to her, people should cultivate the habit of eating a balanced diet containing the essential classes of nutrients required by the body, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, minerals and other vital nutrients.

She also advised participants to reduce their consumption of carbonated drinks and adopt healthier alternatives as part of their everyday lifestyle.

Another member of the class, Fasuyi Feyisola Caroline, who spoke on “How Humans Can Achieve Longevity,” emphasised the importance of adequate sleep and rest in maintaining good health.

She urged adults to make conscious efforts to obtain between seven and nine hours of sleep daily, noting that sufficient sleep contributes to physical and mental well-being, replenishes energy and supports an individual’s ability to function effectively.

Feyisola also cautioned against allowing everyday problems and challenges to deprive people of necessary rest.

In her words, adults “must learn how to leave our problems and human challenges and rest,” stressing that many people do not get enough sleep despite the demands of modern life. She explained that adopting healthier sleeping patterns could promote general well-being and contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

The programme anchor, Mr. Ikpoyi Davies Ifeanyi, urged residents to take advantage of the free screening, observing that virtually every human activity comes with some degree of physical or mental stress.

He stressed the importance of knowing one’s health status rather than waiting until the emergence of serious symptoms before seeking medical attention.

The preventive approach adopted by the students was particularly significant because routine health checks can help individuals identify potential health concerns early and encourage timely medical intervention.

Speaking on the initiative, the programme’s Coordinator, Mr. Olayemi Samuel, described the exercise as “symbolic, historic, exemplary and legendary.”

Olayemi expressed appreciation to Dr. Charles Adewale for his commitment to teaching the Communication for Development course and for making the subject practical and engaging for the students.

He particularly thanked the lecturer for making himself available to supervise the community-based programme, describing the exercise as an important opportunity for the students to translate classroom knowledge into tangible social impact.

He also commended members of the class for their peaceful and coordinated conduct throughout the planning and execution of the programme.

Olayemi urged beneficiaries to go beyond attending the screening by applying the lessons they had received to their daily lives.

He noted that the ultimate success of the exercise would be measured not only by the number of people screened but also by the extent to which participants adopted healthier habits and became ambassadors of health awareness within their families and communities.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Elebiju Olalekan, a staff member of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch, commended the students and the Caleb University community for the initiative.

Describing the gesture as laudable, he reiterated the popular maxim that “health is wealth,” while praising the foresight, discipline and conduct of the organisers.

Olalekan appealed for similar programmes to be organised more frequently, stressing that regular community health awareness and screening could make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents.

Another beneficiary, Mr. Moruf Ganiyu, a resident of the community, expressed gratitude to the students and Caleb University for choosing Ketu as the beneficiary of the outreach.

Ganiyu said the initiative demonstrated the importance of universities extending their impact beyond the classroom and contributing directly to the welfare and development of surrounding communities.

Among the health services provided during the exercise were blood pressure checks, body mass and weight assessment, as well as general health counselling, among other basic checks.

Beyond the medical and awareness components, the programme also provided an opportunity for interaction between the students and residents. The event ended on a convivial note with group photographs, light refreshments for beneficiaries and dancing to music provided by the students.

The Ketu outreach, therefore, represented more than a one-day health screening. It demonstrated how university education can be converted into a practical community intervention when academic knowledge is connected with societal needs.

For the Mass Communication postgraduate students, the exercise provided a practical demonstration of Communication for Development—using strategic communication to create awareness, influence positive behaviour and contribute to social wellbeing.

For the Ketu community, it offered an opportunity to access basic health screening and vital information at no cost.

More importantly, the initiative reinforced the strategic role universities can play in development by producing graduates who do not merely acquire knowledge but are also equipped to deploy that knowledge in addressing real challenges within society.