Oyo Govt. Distributes Cash, Food Items To Elderly Residents

Oyo State Government has distributed cash and food items to 1000 elderly residents of the State and some elderly focused NGOs, restating it’s commitment to catering for the welfare of the elderly in the society.

This was as it declared it’s readiness to designate  one primary health care center in every local government area of the State for the care of elderly people.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, stated this on Monday at an event organized in commemoration of the international Day for the elderly, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan.

She noted that Governor Makinde led Government has been people centric by putting in place several interventions that are aimed at making life more meaningful for all segments of the society.

According to the Commissioner, the State Government will soon kick start an elderly friendly healthcare centers in 9 local government areas, which will later be expanded to other councils before 2027.

The Commissioner noted that the event, themed ” Ageing with dignity” was held to add value to the lives of the elderly demographic and to teach them on how to live a fulfilling life, free from health challenges, neglect and isolation.

She said “This is a Government that is people centric. This Government is putting in place interventions that are in the best interest of the people”.

“In some communities the elderly ones are being looked at with derision, but the Government of Governor Makinde is committed to leaving no one behind. My Ministry is responsible for the welfare of women, children, elderly and the physically challenged ones.

“We consider our elderly ones as a valued source, because these are people who have lived their lives in the service of their families, children and society at large.

We think it is very important for us to make sure that we support them in their old age.

“We are hoping, by next year, to expand the scope so that we can onboard more elderly people. Also, we are working in collaboration with a number of NGOs and agencies that have competencies in the care of the elderly.

“We have put in place plans that are going to be sustainable even beyond the lifetime of this Government. One of them is social welfare intervention and we are hoping to be able to take action next year such that the elderly will benefit from stipends once every two or three months.

“In addition to that, we are going to be designating one PHC as an elderly-friendly health care center. And in the last discussion we had, we said it is better for us to scale our intervention so that we can monitor and measure the result.

“So, our plan is to deploy to the first nine local government areas and after six months, we will re- assess and expand.

Also speaking, the guest lecturer and Nutritionist, Dr Tunde Ajobo, appreciated the Makinde led administration for implementing policies that are friendly to the aged, including the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, among others.

He equally charged members of the society to take care of their old ones so that they can enjoy their old age, just as he called on the Government to organize sensitization programmes for the aged across wards and local government levels.

Stressing that people should be aware of changes in their body system as they advance in  age. He said the major thing that happens in old age is pronounced dehydration. If they don’t drink enough water it affects them adversely.

He explained further that, if an elderly begins to  skip meals, it is another thing to actually look into. It will surely have a long term effect, because it can lead to nutrient deficiency. As one is ageing, his stomach gets compacted and not as wide as when we are at youth. Even if they are going to take a small meal it must be adequate and nutritious.

In their separate remarks co-chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade and the member representing Ibadan North Constituency l in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Honourable Comforter Olajide, appreciated the Governor  Makinde led administration for its unwavering commitment to the people of the State across different age grades and social strata.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Olugbenga Jegede, who spoke to newsmen at the end of the event, commended the State Government for organising the event which he described as timely and a good one.

Other side attractions of the event includes  “ayo olopon” game, cultural dance display and palm wine drinking.