Obasanjo made the statement on Friday in Abeokuta when he led hundreds of people on a road walk to sensitise the populace on the disease and how to manage it.

The road walk was organised by the South West Zone of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) in collaboration with the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), to mark the 2017 World Diabetes Day.

The two kilometre walk which began at the OOPL, passed through MKO Abiola Way with 15 minutes stop-over at the premises of Sunny Yinka Oil before terminating at the take-off point.

The former president was joined on the walk by the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, Commissioner for Health in Ogun, Dr Babatunde Ipaye and Chief Executive Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, Dr Olalekan Makinde

According to Obasanjo, if a person with diabetes takes care of himself, he will discover that “diabetes is not a killer disease.”

Obasanjo lamented the fact that many youths in the country rarely exercised, saying that because of his lifestyle, in spite of his age, he was still agile and fit.

“Diabetes is not a disease that should kill. I was diagnosed to be diabetic more than 30 years ago but rather I am growing stronger.

“If you don’t believe I am growing strong and you didn’t witness this walk, come and see me at night, you will know I am growing strong.

“Come and see me in the morning, you will know I am growing strong, even in the afternoon; you will know I am growing strong.

“What is necessary is management of diabetes. Some people said some diseases are incurable but diabetes is manageable and compliant.

“My headmaster in primary school was diagnosed at the age of 50 and died at age 85; you will agree with me that he tried.”

He advised diabetics to be mindful of their health and eat healthy

“What to do is that if you’re diabetic don’t be non-chalant about it and don’t eat carelessly.

“Three things are important, the food you eat, regular exercise and prescribed medication, those are the three most important things.

“You can be diabetic and still lives till 100. I don’t know when I will die but I am above 80 and many of youths could not catch up with my pace during the exercise this morning. Many of them were running after me.

“This is my message. Whether you’re diabetic or you have a family or friend who is diabetic; diabetes is not a killer disease or it should not be a killer disease unless you are careless,” Obasanjo added.

In a speech, Akanbi said he was in Abeokuta to support Obasanjo in the awareness walk, advising people to always take their health issues serious.

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Obasanjo made the clarification during the opening of the commemoration of FESTAC’77 @ 40 at the University of Lagos.

He said that many Nigerians took the festival as a celebration beyond the physical but failed to realise that it was a celebration of Africa’s rich cultural diversities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FESTAC ’77 @ 40 was organised by Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation (CBAC).

Nigeria hosted the First World Blacks and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos in 1977.

Obasanjo described culture as the totality of the way of life of any group of people, adding that a people that lost its culture had lost its identity.

“Our culture enables us to remember our past which is history and that is why history is important in our schools; to forget history is to lose our memory, ” Obasanjo said.

He said that the commemoration of FESTAC ’77 would highlight the diverse contributions of blacks and Africans to universal arts and re-discover the ties which bind all blacks and African people together.

Obasanjo urged Africans to disregard every negative narrative about them by others, urging the people to always remember that humans emanated from Africa.

“We must not accept the narrative given to us by others, stories of helplessness, poverty and all.

“They are not true of us because this is where human beings emanated from to occupy other parts of the world.

“Africa is not a poor continent. We want the world to know that we want to be part of the decision makers in the world we live in. We can do it and we must do it.

“This event today has showcased the commonality of the people of Africa and we must unanimously promote the course of Africa,” Obasanjo said.

Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, the Director-General, CBAAC, the organiser of the event, appreciated the dignitaries and called on all Nigerians to celebrate the only cultural event that binds Africans together.

He said that the programme which ends on Saturday promised to be eventful as interesting and captivating programmes would be showcased.

The artist who carved the FESTAC’77 mask, Mr Joseph Alufa and legendary musician Victor Uwaifo, were awarded patrons of FESTAC.

There were exhibitions of various African fabrics, arts, beads and crafts among others.

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