The Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde’s Government in Oyo State has distributed cash and food items to over 1000 elders across the state.
This is part of activities marking the 2024 International Day for the Elderly.
The event was held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan on Monday.
The beneficiaries, according to the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, were drawn across the 33 local government areas of the state.
The Commissioner said that the state government is aiming to designate primary health care center in every local government area of the state for the wellbeing of the elderly people.
She noted that part of Governor Seyi Makinde‘s plan is to kick start the elder friendly health care in 9 local government and later expand it to others council areas before 2027.
According to her, “the aim of the event, themed “ageing with dignity” was to add value to lives of elderly demographic, on how to live a fulfilling lives, free from health challenges, neglect and isolation.”
While commending the governor and commissioner, the Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Inclusion in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Comforter Olajide, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of elderly people in the nation building.
She charged government to strengthen care and support systems by promoting person-centered approaches that respect autonomy, dignity and human rights.
Also, in their separate goodwill messages, Chairman, Oyo State Elders Council, Dr. Saka Balogun, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade and President General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigents (CCII), Chief Ajeniyi Ajewole, lauded the initiative, saying that it is aim at prioritizing the welfare of elders in the state.
The guest nutritionist, Dr. Tunde Ajobo, urged the elders to take drinking of water, food at the appropriate as important.
He urged the state government to extend the such program to nooks and crannies of the state.
Highlight of event include health talk, medical check-up, games, cash and food items such as rice, beans, gari and yam flour presentation.
Packaged by Adekunle Adegboyega
