101-year-old Obonganwan Arit Willie Ekpo, from Uyo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, was amongst the 1,200 senior citizens touched by the governor’s wife, Patience Umo Eno’s medicare and social empowerment scheme at the weekend in Uyo, the state capital.
Designed to ameliorate the effect of the harsh socio-economic realities in the country on the senior citizens in the state, the first lady splashed cash gifts of N50,000 each and medical care to the 1,200 beneficiaries drawn from the 31 LGAs.
She explained that the ARISE Initiative For the Elderly Support Scheme (AIESC), a programme established by the government, is in support of the wife of the President, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu Renewed Hope Initiative for the Elderly Support Programme (RHIESP).
In her remark at the event, ‘Caring for our parents’, Mrs Eno explained that the programme combined the May and June editions with 600 beneficiaries selected from each edition.
While acknowledging the years of service put in by the senior citizens in the advancement and development of the state, the governor’s wife expressed her continuous commitment to their health and well-being.
She said: “This particular edition of the programme is special because it is an August celebration of a merger of two sets of beneficiaries for May and June, hence this convergence of 1,200 of our aged parents.
“As a government, we are committed to your health and well-being, hence the establishment of this monthly programme by my dear husband, your governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
“Today, I acknowledge, as always, the contributions made by the men and women seated in this hall to the rapid development of the state, and I appeal to you all to prioritise your health, nurture your minds and strengthen your bonds with loved ones and with God.”
In her remark, the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan, appreciated the governor and his wife for the programme, noting that it has eased the pains associated with the very harsh economy in the country.
Adiakpan assured that her ministry would soon domesticate the National Ageing Framework (NAF), which, according to her, will provide a direction for the elderly in the state that aligns with the ARISE Agenda.
Similarly, the coordinator of the ARISE Initiative For the Elderly, Mrs Mercy Eka, described the programme as one of the many people-oriented initiatives targeted at supporting those in need and giving hope to the poorest of the poor in the state.
The event featured a special tribute and presentation of gifts to Obongawan Arit Willie Ekpo, a 101-year-old from the Uyo local government area, who spoke on behalf of the recipients and thanked the governor, Pastor Umo Eno and his wife for giving every Akwa Ibom person a sense of belonging.
Another beneficiary and non-indigene, 65 -65-year-old Hassan Bello of the Arewa community in the state, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the governor’s wife for recognising the elderly and remembering them. He prayed for God’s guidance to grant the governor the wisdom to complete his two terms successfully.
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