Lagos: In a powerful call to action, Dr Fabian Chukwuemeka, Consultant Family Physician and Head of Outpatient Services at the Federal Medical Centre, Epe, Lagos, has urged business recovery and insolvency professionals to rethink their priorities, placing personal health on par with corporate success.
Speaking on Friday during a Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN) members’ evening in Lagos, Chukwuemeka warned that neglecting routine medical care in pursuit of professional goals could have irreversible consequences.
His message: proactive health planning isn’t just personal—it’s a strategic imperative for long-term resilience and productivity.
He stressed the importance of regular medical check-ups, warning that postponing routine health assessments due to work commitments could have serious consequences.
Chukwuemeka advised business professionals to consider genetic predispositions when evaluating their risk for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
He emphasised the importance of preventive screening for cancers, including prostate, colorectal and breast cancer, and recommended vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.
According to him, self-examinations, healthy dietary habits, and lifestyle adjustments can greatly reduce the risk of severe illnesses such as lung cancer.
“Our health often cannot wait. Genetics may load the gun, but lifestyle choices pull the trigger,” he said.
He also stressed the need to manage conditions like ulcers and diabetes through early diagnosis, proper treatment and regular monitoring.
Good health, he said, is maintained not only through medical care but also adequate exercise, quality sleep and regular rest.
“Futuristic health planning means taking proactive steps today to avoid critical health challenges tomorrow,” Chukwuemeka added.
BRIPAN president, Mr Chimezie Ihekweazu, said failing businesses, like health problems, often show early warning signs.
These, he noted, include delayed salary payments, difficulty covering overheads, failure to meet obligations and performance issues with contractual commitments.
Ihekweazu stressed that once warning signs emerge, insolvency practitioners should be engaged to provide support and expertise to rescue the affected businesses.
He said many businesses are failing due to economic challenges, while those showing some stability must be sustained.
“At our conference from Sept. 25 to 26, we expect insolvency practitioners, regulators, judicial officers, lawyers, accountants and bankers to attend,” he said.
He added that the event would benefit practitioners, society and the economy, as knowledge shared could help sustain businesses and improve national economic performance.
