Lagos Promises More Homes For The Elderly

The Lagos State Government has promised to build more homes for the Senior Citizens in order to ensure that they receive adequate care.

The Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu, made this known while receiving members of Age Nigeria Foundation, who were at the Ministry to bestow Leadership and Excellence Awards on the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary for coming to the aid of one Pa Sunday Akinbo, a 68-year old retiree from Oyo State, who became homeless due to his inability to collect his retirement benefits.

Dawodu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ayoola Olugbemiga Aina, said the policy of inclusion of the present administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu covers the elderly to prevent unnecessary suffering, therefore plans are in top gear to build homes in the five divisions of the State.

He said: “Old age is a milestone we all look forward to attaining. The Ministry of Youth and Social Development will do a lot of advocacy to improve the welfare and wellbeing of our elders by raising the consciousness of Nigerians to issues affecting them”.

Stressing the need for existing elderly homes in the State to get registered in order to enjoy government recognition and support, the Commissioner implored all Nigerians, especially the youths, to inculcate the habit of caring for the elderly as a collective responsibility.

President/CEO, Age Nigeria Foundation, Mrs. Oluyemisi Oluwole, said that the organisation deemed it fit to bestow the Leadership and Excellence Awards on the Honourable Commissioner and Permanent Secretary in view of the prompt response to their call for assistance to Pa Sunday Akinbo, a 68-year-old retiree from Oyo State, who became homeless due to his inability to collect his retirement benefits.

In her words: “No sooner we put a call to the Ministry than they responded positively which made it possible for Age Foundation to restore Pa Akinbo to the normal human condition. This surprised us in that this could happen in a country where the general belief is that government is not there for the masses”.

According to her, Age Foundation Nigeria, which was established over 10 years ago to guarantee the rights of elderly persons by protecting them against abuse, discrimination and violence, supports the Senior Citizens through programmes like medical checks, seminars, wellness and exercise as well as with intergenerational activities.