This Government Will Prioritize Your Interests – Sanwo-Olu Assures Senior Citizens

 The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has assured senior citizen that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will constantly put measures in place to address the issues concerning the Welfare and rights of senior citizens in the State.

The Governor’s wife stated this during this year’s international day of older persons organised by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja, tagged “The journey to Age Equality”.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, Mrs. Sinatu Fadipe, opined that the event which was aimed at drawing attention to matters affecting the elderly was quite commendable.

She stated that the celebration was in sync with the vision of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu towards ensuring that adequate measures are put in place to address the issues of welfare and rights of the older ones.

While assuring the senior citizens of government’s continual support, Mrs. Sanwo-Olu stated that ” For the elderly ones, be rest assured that this government is your government and will work in your interest, it is my prayer that our elderly ones will age gracefully and be endowed with sound health and peace of mind”.

She also promised that at the level of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) , an initiative to appreciate senior citizens for their contributions to the association and the state in general and see what measures can be taken to address their specific challenges is already being considered by COWLSO.

In his address, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu, noted that this year’s theme “Journey to Aging Equality” was aimed at bringing attention to the fact that older persons can be and are still relevant in our present day society.

“As the world is moving to an ‘Aging Society’ where the number of older persons will outnumber the younger population, we need to change our perspectives and attitude positively towards older Persons, ” Dawodu asserted.

He also lauded the impact of the older persons in ensuring that the customs and traditions on which our society was built still stands.

Dawodu appreciated the State Government for its inclusive policies and programmes that has not left out the senior citizens in the state. “This is evidenced in the prompt payment of gratuity and pensions, health insurance and establishment of additional Adult Daycare centres to complement the existing Old People’s Home, Yaba.

In her remarks the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Yewande Falugba, congratulated and appreciated the senior citizens for their contributions towards society while reiterating the ministry’s commitment to work with relevant stakeholders towards promoting and sustaining the welfare of the elderly people.

There was a talk on the theme of this year’s celebration delivered by Dr. (Mrs) Franca Attoh of the University of Lagos as well as cutting of the anniversary cake.