Over 5,000 residents of Calabar, Cross River State, participated in a road walk over the weekend to raise awareness about autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

The event, the sixth edition of the annual Calabar Walkathon, was organised by the Healthy Billionaires Fitness Club.

The club president, Mr. William Archibong, said the initiative, launched in 2020, was designed to promote fitness while addressing critical societal issues through advocacy and collaboration with government and private sector partners.

“This year’s walk focuses on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders,” Archibong said. “We are creating awareness that these conditions are communication disorders, not witchcraft. People living with these conditions should be treated as special and not as outcasts.”

He explained that the club had previously addressed issues such as COVID-19 recovery, drug abuse, mental health, depression, and the need for peace and security after the 2023 general election.

Archibong noted that one of the club’s advocacy efforts led to the construction of a state-owned drug rehabilitation centre to reintegrate addicts into society.

He thanked Governor Bassey Otu and his wife, Bishop Eyoanwan Otu, for their commitment to addressing societal issues through their “people-first” agenda, which he said has transformed Cross River into one of the most progressive states in Nigeria.

The walk began at Millennium Park and took participants through major streets of Calabar, drawing attention to the need for greater understanding and inclusion of people with neurodevelopmental conditions.