The Healthy Billionaires, led by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr Samuel Usoro, has solicited the support of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council, for its forthcoming Calabar Walkathon aimed at promoting unity and sustainable development.
Usoro made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Healthy Billionaires to the NUJ Cross River State Council, where he disclosed that this year's walk would focus on breaking political, ethnic, religious and tribal barriers while encouraging citizens to unite and demand sustainable development from government and other stakeholders.
According to him, the walk is particularly significant as the country approaches another election cycle, a period often characterised by political divisions and competing interests.
He stressed that while citizens have the right to support and vote for candidates of their choice, such political differences should not destroy the unity of the society.
"People are allowed to choose who they want and vote for who they want. But the most important thing is to be united before and after the elections," he said.
Usoro explained that the Healthy Billionaires were using the annual walk as a platform to start conversations around issues affecting society and to encourage government, corporate organisations and citizens to pursue initiatives capable of producing lasting impact.
He said this year's theme, "A Walk for Unity and Sustainable Development", was designed to bring people together irrespective of political affiliation, tribe, religion or ethnicity.
"We are going to break all those barriers of division and then speak with one voice, asking people in authority, corporate leaders and even ourselves to do things that are sustainable for our economy and society," he said.
He appealed to journalists to amplify the message of the walk and help take the advocacy beyond Calabar, stressing that the media remained central to public advocacy and social mobilisation.
"We have come to the NUJ because we know we cannot do without you. The whole concept of advocacy comes from you guys. We are asking you to lend your voice and amplify what we want to do," Usoro said.
He disclosed that the walk would commence at 7am on Saturday from Millennium Park, with participants proceeding along the designated carnival route before returning for the wind up. He also hinted at the possibility of a post event press conference to highlight the outcomes and impact of the initiative.
Usoro said the Healthy Billionaires had, over the years, used its activities to draw attention to pressing social issues and stimulate conversations that could lead to government action.
He cited previous campaigns on drug abuse, mental health, autism and neurological disorders as examples of initiatives through which the organisation had brought government agencies, stakeholders and the media together to address societal challenges.
According to him, the organisation's advocacy on drug abuse helped draw attention to the absence of adequate rehabilitation facilities in the region, while its campaign on autism and neurological disorders also highlighted the need for specialised services such as speech therapy.
He explained that the organisation did not necessarily have the resources to directly solve every problem it identified but used its platforms to connect relevant stakeholders, generate public awareness and encourage those responsible to act.
"We start the conversation and bring the players into the same circle. We bring the media spotlight and the people saddled with the responsibility of making those things happen together. We start the discussions and hopefully it metamorphoses into a result," he said.
Usoro added that the group also monitored developments after its interventions and used available data to assess progress and determine areas requiring further action.
He said military and paramilitary formations had also been contacted ahead of this year's walk and were expected to participate and provide public enlightenment on issues relating to responsible citizenship, the consequences of destroying public property and other actions that could lead to criminal prosecution.
He further emphasised that the walk would be deliberately non partisan, with participants expected to set aside political differences and unite under the common objective of building a better society.
"We are opening our doors to everybody. You might see people from different political divides walking alongside one another. We are not talking politics that day. We are simply going to walk for unity and ask for sustainable development," she said.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey commended the Healthy Billionaires for consistently using its annual activities to draw attention to important issues affecting society.
The NUJ Chairman noted that sustainable development could not be achieved through government action alone, stressing the need for citizens to understand their responsibilities and contribute to building a better society.
She called for greater unity, trust and public reorientation, particularly at a time when social media continues to influence public discourse and shape perceptions.
She also raised questions about the need for follow up mechanisms to ensure that the conversations generated by the annual walks translate into measurable and sustainable outcomes.
During the interaction, attention was also drawn to concerns surrounding overcrowding in correctional facilities, the high number of awaiting trial inmates and the absence of adequate juvenile correctional facilities.
Victoria Omini, who participated in the discussion, shared observations from a recent visit to a correctional facility, where she said she was informed that the facility, originally built to accommodate about 450 inmates, was housing approximately 784 inmates.
She also raised concerns over the large number of awaiting trial inmates and the possibility of minors being held alongside adults due to the absence of appropriate juvenile facilities.
Omini said the situation deserved further attention and suggested that the issue of judicial delays and juvenile detention could become the focus of future advocacy efforts.
The Healthy Billionaires acknowledged the concerns, noting that sensitive issues involving correctional facilities would require careful consideration, stakeholder engagement and adequate preparation before being taken up publicly.
The group maintained that its annual walks were designed not merely as physical exercises but as platforms for advocacy, public enlightenment and the promotion of collective responsibility.
The 2026 Calabar Walkathon is expected to bring together citizens, government officials, corporate organisations, security agencies, civil society actors and other stakeholders in a symbolic demonstration of unity and a collective call for sustainable development.
