Ekiti Ex-Rep, Bimbo Daramola, Unveils ‘Special Health Scheme’ With Fitness Cards to Sustain BAOWALK Initiative

A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, has launched a Special Health Scheme aimed at strengthening the Ekiti State government’s commitment to public health. The initiative, unveiled in Ado-Ekiti, is designed to provide sustainable support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s flagship health and fitness programme, the BAOWALK Initiative.

During the launch, hundreds of BAOWALK ambassadors, drawn from all 16 local government areas of the state, were inaugurated and presented with Health and Fitness Cards. These cards are the core of the new scheme, granting the ambassadors and those they refer access to a range of medical and wellness benefits.

Hon. Daramola, who represented Ekiti North Federal Constituency I, explained that the scheme was conceived as a structured framework to ensure the BAOWALK Initiative continues to thrive and impact the grassroots, even in his absence.

“A lot of people asked what happens after we leave a local government area. Governor Oyebanji also raised similar concerns, and we felt it was necessary to create a system that will make the BAOWALK Initiative sustainable,” Daramola stated. He noted that the ambassadors would serve as “local champions” to promote healthy lifestyles in their respective communities.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Barrister Sola Eleshin, commended Daramola for the timely and “human-centered” intervention. Eleshin stressed the crucial role of the scheme in ensuring that Ekiti residents enjoy the dividends of democracy in good health, adding that a healthy population is essential for appreciating government policies.

The newly introduced Health and Fitness Card is expected to provide registered participants with access to vital medical support and health advice for managing chronic ailments, thereby helping to reduce residents’ out-of-pocket medical expenses. The launch signifies a major step in reinforcing community-level participation in the state’s wellness drive.