Seyifunmi Odunuga
In another bold step forward in the implementation of his “Ise Ya” developmental agenda, the newly-sworn-in Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Hon. Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, on Thursday, inaugurated the committee for the implementation of the healthcare care initiative for the elderly people in the local government.
Inaugurating the committee at the council secretariat in Akomoje, Abeokuta, he announced that 2,000 elderly people were being targeted to benefit from the initiative, while disclosing the immediate commencement of the programme in a week’s time; precisely Thursday, November 28, with 200 beneficiaries for the first batch.
The “Elderly Care” initiative called “Eto Ilera ati Itoju Awon Agba” is a special programme to cater to the peculiar needs of senior citizens in the local government, and beneficiaries include elderly people from 60 years of age upward for females, and 75 years upward for males.
The features of the initiative include subsidised meals providing affordable nutrition for the elderly, transportation assistance to attend medical appointments, and socialisation and recreational activities to foster community bonding.
Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo explained that the committee was set up to ensure smooth running of the programme, and to ensure the beneficiaries of the initiative were equitably spread across all the communities in the local government.
He added that the Elderly Care initiative would be implemented for one year, even as he stated that funding donors had been secured for the programme; this meaning that the aged people who are the targeted beneficiaries would enjoy the services at no cost. The chairman stated: “To ensure we move seamlessly, the programme is taken to elderly people in communities in the local government. We are targeting 2,000 aged people to be enrolled, and I am happy to announce that we are starting the implementation of this Elderly Care Initiative with 200 beneficiaries by next week Thursday, November 28, 2024. The service has been paid for by donors.”
Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo also said his conviction to pay special attention to the welfare and well-being of the elderly people was the motivation for the launch of the initiative.
“I immediately embarked on the implementation of this initiative believing this will also inspire other donors and public-spirited individuals and corporate organisations to contribute to efforts aimed at catering to the special needs of our aged baba and mama in our communities in the local governmenrt,” he noted.
Harping further on the aim of the healthcare initiative, the chairman said it was also to improve the overall health and social well-being of the elders and senior citizens in the local government.He asserted that the ‘Eto Ilera ati Itoju Awon Agba’ initiative would serve as a blueprint for future healthcare development in Nigeria, as well as propel more proactive policies that ccould impact on saving more lives from affordable illnesses, reduce suffering for aged people and ensure health for all elderly people.
Chairman of the committee, who is also the Vice Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government, Hon. Taiyelolu Egbeyemi, assured the chairman that they would discharge the assignment diligently and ensure the initiative achieved its set objectives.
He tasked the committee members to take the responsibility as a call to duty, particularly in light of the crucial role which the healthcare scheme can play in safeguarding the health of residents, especially the vulnerable and the elderly people in the local government.
Hon. Egbeyemi also charged them to ensure the delivery of qualitative services in line with the transformative developmental agenda of the administration of Hon. Oyegbola-Sodipo.
Other members of the committee include Mrs. Racheal Siwoku; Director Finance & Supplies, Mrs. Ronke Adekunle; Head of the Community Department & Social Welfare, Mr. Faremi Niyi Olusola; Clerk of the Legislative Arm of the local government, Mrs Temitope Akiode; representative of the Executive Chairman on the Committee, Mrs. Olalekan Olasunkanmi, Head of Department, Information, Education & Sports represented by Mr. Kola Sodeinde, and Hadjia Zainab Faleye, Internal Auditor for the local government.
