OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The 2026 Henry Carr Postgraduate Hall Week at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) commenced on Monday with the Cycle4Life Fitness Programme, a cycling initiative designed to promote healthy living, environmental sustainability, road safety and community bonding among postgraduate students and members of the university community.
Organised by the Henry Carr Postgraduate Hall under the leadership of Mr. Ashiru Al-Mahroof Olaseewo in partnership with the Gabriel Rotimi Aroge Empowerment Foundation (GRA) and The Ultimate Riders Solutions Limited (TURSL), the event attracted students, cycling enthusiasts and guest riders who assembled at the hall as early as 7:00 a.m. for the fitness ride.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Al-Mahroof Ashiru, who doubles as Programmes Coordinator of the Gabriel Rotimi Aroge (GRA) Empowerment Foundation and Hall Chairman, said the cycling initiative was designed to promote environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions in line with the vision of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunshola.
He noted that the university's adoption of electric and solar-powered buses reflects its commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 3, 11, 13 and 17.
Ashiru said the GRA Empowerment Foundation supported the initiative by donating bicycles to encourage eco-friendly transportation and healthy living on campus, adding that the foundation had intended to provide even more bicycles but was constrained by logistics.
He stressed that the cycling roadshow was not a competitive event but a fitness and environmental awareness campaign aimed at demonstrating the University's commitment to a cleaner, carbon-conscious environment while promoting healthier lifestyles and a more sustainable future.
The cyclists embarked on a road show across designated routes (from Faculty of Education, through University Road to the Senate building, faculty of Arts, with a stop over at the Students' Affaurs within the university campus, making a brief stop at the office of the Dean of Students' Affairs Unit, before continuing the ride towards the medical centre to DLI (Distance Learning Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences and back to Henry Carr Postgraduate Hall.
GRA Safety marshals monitored the procession throughout the exercise, while cycling experts from TURSL educated participants on safe cycling practices, bicycle maintenance and the role of cycling in promoting a cleaner and healthier environment.
Participants also applauded the initiative, describing it as an exciting and refreshing way to begin the week-long celebration.
Several riders said the event provided an opportunity to exercise, interact with fellow students and learn more about responsible cycling and road safety.
They commended the organisers for ensuring adequate safety arrangements (by providing an ambulance with first aid kit, and expressed hope that the fitness ride would become an annual feature of the university's calendar.
Officials of the Gabriel Aroge Empowerment Foundation noted that the Cycle4Life initiative is aimed at encouraging Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace cycling as a healthy lifestyle, an environmentally sustainable means of mobility and a tool for social integration.
They stressed that promoting cycling would contribute to reducing carbon emissions, improving public health and creating greater awareness of road safety among cyclists and motorists alike.
The opening event marked the beginning of the Henry Carr Hall Week 2026, scheduled to run from July 13 to July 19, with a series of academic, sporting, cultural and community development activities.
The week-long programme includes Fire Safety Training on Tuesday, Inter-Block Sports and Indoor Games on Wednesday, Cultural Night and Talent Hunt on Thursday, and a Sanitation and Beautification Project as part of the hall's community service activities.
Organisers expressed optimism that the Hall Week would strengthen unity among residents while creating lasting memories through activities that promote learning, fitness, culture and service to the university community.
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