Abeokuta North unveils the ‘Elderly Care’ initiative, offering free healthcare and social support for 2,000 senior citizens

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s part of his “Ise Ya” developmental agenda, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Ogun State, has launched a healthcare initiative to support senior citizens.

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The programme, titled ‘Eto Ilera ati Itoju Awon Agba’, aims to provide free healthcare, nutrition, and social support for 2,000 elderly residents.

The initiative was inaugurated on Thursday at the council secretariat in Akomoje, Abeokuta, where the Chairman announced the first batch of 200 beneficiaries would commence on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

The ‘Elderly Care’ initiative caters to women aged 60 and above and men aged 75 and above. Its benefits include:

Subsidised meals to ensure affordable nutrition.
Transport assistance for medical appointments.
Recreational activities to encourage socialisation and community bonding.

Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo emphasised the committee’s role in guaranteeing fair distribution of the programme across communities. “We aim to reach 2,000 elderly individuals across the local government. The service is fully funded by donors, so beneficiaries will not incur any costs,” he stated.

He expressed hope that the initiative would inspire more donors and organisations to support the welfare of aged citizens. “This initiative seeks to improve the health and well-being of senior citizens while serving as a blueprint for healthcare policies in Nigeria,” he added.
Committee Pledges Commitment

The committee overseeing the initiative is led by Hon. Taiyelolu Egbeyemi, Vice Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government. He assured that the team would diligently execute the programme’s objectives. “We will prioritise the health of our elderly and ensure this initiative aligns with the Chairman’s transformative agenda,” Egbeyemi stated.

Other committee members include notable local government officials such as Mrs. Racheal Siwoku (Director of Finance and Supplies), Mrs. Ronke Adekunle (Head of Community and Social Welfare), and Mr. Faremi Niyi Olusola (Clerk of the Legislative Arm).

Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo highlighted the initiative’s potential to inspire proactive healthcare policies nationwide. He envisions it reducing preventable illnesses, alleviating suffering among aged citizens, and promoting health equity.

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The ‘Elderly Care’ programme stands as a testament to Abeokuta North’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and improving the quality of life for its senior citizens.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.