The Embassy of France in Nigeria, in collaboration with Paragon X, an Abuja-based events management agency, has launched a healthful physical activity project titled: ‘Fitness Core’.
The six-month project which started on September 6, 2025, invites Abuja residents to a free four to five hours physical training programme that enables them stay fit and healthy.
Every first Saturday from September 2025 to March 2026, residents of Abuja can participate in the free physical training exercises comprising warm-ups and stretches, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), Zumba (dance fitness exercise), yoga and other fun activities.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Friday, French Embassy cooperation attache on Humanitarian Affairs, CSOs and Gender, Ketty Regis, said the programme was a continuation of wellness and healthy activities initiated in France by the French government at the last Olympics and is targeted at promoting good physical and mental health habits.
“We decided to continue this activity because people enjoyed it. As an embassy, we are involved in the promotion of sports, health and mental health. It’s a way of infusing fun with health.
“We are accomplishing this event with Paragon X, who have been our partners for over a year . We trust the organisation’s ability to deliver the project successfully, which they did. We encourage Abuja residents to follow the embassy on social media to stay updated on ‘fitness core’ dates and venue.”
On how an events management company could execute a fitness programme of such nature, the founder of Paragon X, Abayomi Gbenga Adewole, emphasised the creation aspect of the company.
“As an events creation company, we move from social fitness to corporate events. We have a fitness team that does fitness activities. Sports is also an event, and requires the same strategy of executing projects: have your idea, a plan and a team for its execution. Everything is doable. We organise any events.”
For those who lack the time and space to fix fitness as a part of their daily routine, the project is right up their alley, he said.
“First, come to Fitness Core once a month. You will have access to free consultation with our fitness trainers on how to develop a fitness routine, which can span little things like walking, push-ups, picking up trash/waste at home, etc. That is more than 50 percent of the work,” Adewole said.