Mrs. Priscilla Otti, the wife of Abia State Governor, has described the elderly in our society as a constant source of wisdom filled with diverse grace of age.
Mrs. Otti spoke at an event held at the JAAC Secretariat Complex in Umuahia, the state capital, to commemorate World Older Persons Day in Abia.
She stated that the state recognizes the importance of taking care of the senior citizens.
She maintained that Governor Otti’s administration is strongly dedicated to ensuring the welfare and dignity of our older citizens by making the well-being of older persons a top priority.
“I am proud to announce that we have ensured the prompt payment of pensions to our elderly citizens, providing them with financial security and peace of mind.
This is a testament to his dedication to ensuring that our seniors are not burdened with financial worries and that they can live their lives in comfort and security,”
Additionally, we have launched a free medical scheme(Basic Health Care Provision Fund) to grant our indigent senior citizens access to quality healthcare services. It is our way of showing our gratitude for their lifelong contributions to our society and ensuring that they can enjoy their later years in good health.
According to her, the office of the First Lady in conjunction with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, intends to reach the vulnerable ones, while also establishing systems and programmes to reach out to as many Elderly people as possible.
Mrs. Otti further promised to use the humanitarian aspect of her office to create more programmes that will benefit the most vulnerable among elderly.
She used the opportunity to call on well meaning members of the society to reach out to the Elderly ones among them adding that government alone cannot do it.
In her speech, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix said that Abia is proud to domesticate the International Day of Older Persons.
The awareness is to create an environment tailored to meet the needs and challenges of the older persons in our society.
“We have a responsibility to advocate for their rights and benefits “.
Mrs. Felix, commended Governor Otti for his support and care to the elderly especially paying their pension.
Meanwhile, the keynote speaker, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor stated that ageing is good.
He added that while aged people need to care for themselves, they need our support and care to exercise, eat good food and always go for medical check.
The International day of Older person’s is a global health care event celebrated on October 1 every year
It is a day set aside to promotes public awareness with respect to opportunities that are associated with aging and mobilizes organizations, families and stakeholders to aid older people who are facing different challenges.
The theme for this year’s event is “Celebrating the Value of Older Persons, and the Integral Role they Play, Recognizing the Places and the People that Removed the Barriers.”
