The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has urged families and communities to take greater responsibility for the welfare of senior citizens, saying care for ageing parents and relatives should not be left entirely to government.
Sanwo-Olu made the call during an outreach to elderly residents across Badagry Central Local Government Area, Badagry West Local Council Development Area and Olorunda LCDA.
She said supporting older people should go beyond financial assistance, stressing that regular visits, phone calls, companionship and help with everyday activities could make a significant difference in their lives.
According to her, senior citizens should continue to feel valued and included in society regardless of their age or ability to remain active in employment.
The First Lady said the elderly support initiative was driven by compassion and the need to uphold the dignity of older persons, rather than political considerations.
She noted that although the financial and food support provided during the outreach might appear modest, it could assist beneficiaries with immediate needs such as food, household items and other necessities.
Sanwo-Olu said the more important message of the intervention was that senior citizens remained valued members of society whose contributions had not been forgotten.
She called on children and younger family members to remain actively involved in caring for their ageing relatives instead of transferring the responsibility to government or charitable organisations.
“Growing old should never mean being forgotten by the society they helped to build,” she said.
The First Lady also urged community leaders, religious organisations, traditional institutions and youth groups to identify elderly people who may be vulnerable, isolated or living alone and ensure they receive appropriate support.
She disclosed that the visitation programme had covered the Lagos, Ikorodu and Epe divisions, with Badagry being the latest division reached. Ikeja Division, she said, remained the only division yet to be covered under the ongoing programme.
Sanwo-Olu recalled that the first phase of the Badagry Division visitation commenced on July 29, with senior citizens in Ori-Ade, Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo receiving food items and financial support.
She also acknowledged the elderly-focused interventions of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, stressing the importance of sustained efforts to promote the welfare and dignity of older persons.
The Lagos First Lady further encouraged senior citizens to maintain social connections, pay attention to their health and seek assistance when necessary.
She expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, community leaders, families and volunteers contributing to the welfare of elderly residents across the state.
The outreach concluded in Iworo, Olorunda LCDA, where Sanwo-Olu visited the Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom, Oba Oladele Friday Kosoko, Ogundeyi II, at the Iworo Central Palace.
The monarch commended the initiative and disclosed that he had been providing monthly stipends to identified elderly residents of the community since ascending the throne.
Oba Kosoko said interventions targeted at senior citizens provided not only material assistance but also a sense of belonging and reassurance that their contributions to society remained appreciated.
He pledged his continued support for programmes aimed at improving the welfare of elderly and vulnerable residents of Iworo Kingdom.
