The Kwara State government has announced plans to establish a modern centre for proper care of the elderly.
The government said the centre would also provide employment opportunities for youths.
The commissioner for social development, Dr Mariam Imam, disclosed this during an event held in Ilorin to celebrate elderly people for their contributions to the development of the state.
She said the centre would be located at the Amayo Rehabilitation Home in the Ifelodun local government area of the state.
“The governor is already working on that, it’s an opportunity to employ lots of people that will take care of elderly people, thereby bringing job opportunities to our youth. It’s also an aspect of the nursing profession that needs to come on board; that’s taking care of the elderly ones. It’s a humanitarian service that will make us compassionate, have empathy towards the elderly ones and to make us reflect that this is what we will experience when we grow older in life,” she said.
On the celebration themed; “Unveiling Kwara State Indigenous Crafts” and award presentation organised in partnership with Brafem Geriatric Foundation, the commissioner said it was aimed to remind the elderly that they were still loved and to emphasise the need to take care for them and to showcase their indigenous arts and craft.
“It is also to celebrate and reward retired civil servants and the elderly ones still in active service for their exemplary services,” she said.
Imam said the state government, through the Social Investment Scheme, had reached out to thousands of elderly people in the state in the form of financial empowerment.
“Also, at the national level, through the Renewed Hope Initiative of the first lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, the empowerment of the elderly ones has been a continuous activity and not a one-time thing,” she added.
One of the senior citizens, 99-year-old Dr. Ajolore, commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the regular payment of monthly pensions, and urged him to break the jinx and pay all arrears of gratuities owed Kwara pensioners.
The executive director of the Brafem Geriatric Foundation, Mrs. Beatrice Oyegbade, who is also the Kwara state coordinator on aging affairs, appealed to the state and federal governments as well as partners to support older persons.
