The Oyo State Government has provided material and financial support to over 1,000 senior citizens through the distribution of foodstuffs and cash assistance as part of measures to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Elderly.
The event held on November 4, at the House of Chiefs, State Assembly Parliament Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan.
The beneficiaries, largely comprising of elderly women from 60 years old and above were drawn from across the 33 Local Government Areas were presented with foodstuffs and cash gift.
The cash gift presented ranges between the sum of ₦200,000, ₦500,000, and ₦1,000 000 presented to different categories of elders based associations as well as local fabrics.
The food pack presented to each of the over 1,000 beneficiaries include rice, beans, garri, yam flower otherwise called ‘elubo’, as well as 1.5litre bottle of vegetable oil and seasoning.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the event, The convener; the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, disclosed that the distribution of items further indicates the commitment of governor Seyi Makinde to supporting senior citizens in the state.
The commissioner emphasized the importance of honoring the elderly in the society stressing that these were the people who served the state with their youthful energies in either public service or private ventures, describing them as deserving of respect, honor, and support.
While noting that the initiative was a step forward towards ensuring the senior citizens live with dignity and comfort, the commissioner added that subsequent edition would be scaled up to ensure more vulnerable elderly are captured for the support program especially at the grassroots level.
She hinted that plans are already being put in place in terms of strategic collaboration to ensure that at least one primary healthcare centre will be designated at each local government areas specifically for the elderly.
The commissioner also disclosed that government aims to provide ongoing support mechanism for the senior citizens through the program as a way of recognizing the unique challenges they are faced with in their daily lives.
“The administration of governor Seyi Makinde is a people-centric one. The central core of this government is formulating policies and programs as well as putting in place interventions programs designed for the welfare and well-being of the people.
“In many communities, some people would look at them as elderly and may not prioritize their welfare, but the government of governor Makinde is ardently committed to not leaving anyone behind and as the name of my ministry implies, it is responsible for women, children, the elderly, physically challenged and in fact the large spectrum of people at the grassroots.
“So, we consider our elderly as a valued resource, these are people who spent most of their productive years in the service of their families, the society and the state at different levels and we deem it expedient to be supportive of them at old age. Now, for this intervention, which is a commemorative event to mark the international day of the elderly.
“We thought of what to do for them to add glamour to the lives of our elderly demography. Maybe because of my academic background in biochemistry, I do understand the metabolism of the elderly that at this stage, it usually not what it used to be. So, apart from the fun part of the program and dancing to remind them of the youthful days.
“That’s why we brought in a Nutrition expert to enlighten them and give them necessary tips on maintaining a good health and healthy lifestyle because well-being starts from inside not the outside. And in doing this. We also took cognisance of the current economic situation to educate them on what quality food to eat that are still affordable as well as other issues affecting their general well-being.” The commissioner said.
Members of the state House of Assembly, State Executive Council, Chairman of Oyo State Elders Advisory Council; Dr Saka Balogun, other top government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and representatives from various elderly advocacy groups attended the event, praising the government’s efforts through the ministry of women affairs and social inclusion.
Excitedly, some of the beneficiaries, who spoke with newsmen, expressed their gratitude to governor Seyi Makinde and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, while highlighting the immediate impact of the assistance on their lives. They equally spoke about the challenges they face, including rising living costs and limited access to healthcare.
Earlier in his paper presentation, Nutrition expert, Dr. Tunde Ajobo, explained the importance of maintaining good health especially, the elderly, urging them to endeavor to keep themselves hydrated and physically fit at all times.
Others in their separate goodwill messages lauded the Seyi Makinde led administration, describing it as masses friendly and call for the sustenance of the program which they said gives the senior citizens sense of belonging in the affairs of the state.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of cheques to various beneficiaries, cultural dance display, ‘ayo olopon’ game challenge as well as palm wine entertainment.
