Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of Nigeria’s president, has urged for action across the country to copy the way Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno cares for and supports seniors.
At the opening of an ultra-modern senior citizens center named after her by Governor Eno, the First Lady stated she is always happy with programs that help the elderly.
She liked the nice building that Governor Eno made for the elderly and said that it fits with her idea of what an elderly citizen’s center should look like.
The First Lady said it was sad that some older people have to beg because they are sick and can’t take care of themselves. She also said that as a Senator for 12 years, she always had programs for older people.
Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Umo Eno, the state’s late First Lady, had a vision for the project. She thanked the governor for moving the concept forward and for inviting her to oversee the project.
She said that the senior citizens’ center is a great idea that would not only give older people a place to relax and have fun, but it will also help them feel younger and live longer.
The First Lady thanked the governor for making her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Elderly Support Scheme more relevant to the state and for always helping seniors in the state. She also asked the Senate President to look at a bill she proposed while at the National Assembly that would help seniors in the country.
Governor Umo Eno thanked the First Lady for agreeing to come to the state to open the center and celebrate International Women’s Day with women from Akwa Ibom.
He added that his wife, Pastor Mrs. Patience Eno, had the idea for the center, and he officially christened it the “Senator Oluremi Tinubu Senior Citizens Center.”
The governor, who is known for being kind, talked about some of the things the government has done to help the elderly, such as paying off back payments of gratuities and giving them monthly support. He also said that the senior citizens center is a small way to thank them for their guidance and sacrifices to the state.
“This project fits well with your Renewed Hope Initiative, especially when it comes to taking care of older people. This is our own tiny way of thanking our elders for their service, guidance, and love.
As you get older, you shouldn’t walk alone. We should thank you for all the hard work and sacrifices you made for our state. My wife used to tell me all the time that we should and must do that. And I’m happy that we were able to get this Center up and operating today.
Governor Eno talked about his administration’s plan to copy the project in the other two Senatorial Districts of the state. He also said that he would send a bill to the State House of Assembly to make it law that the government will care for the elderly in the state. He asked the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to work to make sure that the bill passes quickly.
He promised that his government will do everything it could to make sure that seniors get the care they need.
“We are a government that is really committed to making sure our people, especially the elderly, are well taken care of.
“Please allow me, Your Excellency, our Mother, to thank you for the great work you started with the Elderly Support Scheme. It was a great idea that my wife and I brought to our state.
“Today, we are proud to tell you that every month, 600 elders in all 369 wards of our state get fifty thousand naira (N50,000) each to meet their basic needs. A lot of these older people have signed up for our State Medical Insurance Scheme for free.
He praised Dr. Ita-Awan James, the Delivery Advisor of the Project, for her selfless work in interpreting the dream via hard work and good supervision.
He also complimented the contractor, U&K Limited, for their hard work, devotion, and professionalism in making sure the project was finished on time.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked Governor Eno for naming the building after the First Lady and for his dedication to caring for the elderly.
Lady Helen Obareki, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, thanked the First Lady for being a mentor and for being there to honor the memory of her late mother, Pastor Patient Eno.
Dr. James, the Delivery Advisor, gave an overview of the project and stated it was meant to meet the requirements of the state’s senior residents. She claimed that most of them had been pushed aside and forgotten despite years of loyal service to the state.
Dr. James, who called the governor a practical, passionate, and caring leader, said that the project was designed and equipped to care for and comfort the elderly. He also said that the facility has a clinic for necessary health care and recreational facilities for different exercises and game rooms to give the elders a sense of belonging.
The event was attended by many important people, including the wives of state governors, national assembly members, and ministers. Some of the most important people there were Dr. (Mrs.) Unoma Akpabio, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State; Senator (Mrs.) Akon Eyakeneyi, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Udeme Itong, the Minister of Women Affairs; and Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (gas).
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