By Margaret Massodih
They thronged in their numbers, grey haired, dimmed eyes, wrinkled skin, slouchy gaits with quite a number of them aided for ease of movement. These were men and women who were once agile and vibrant, playing active roles in the growth of families, organisations, entertainment industries, businesses as well as government establishments, at some point in their lives.
As fate would have it, they experienced longevity, completed the human life cycle, bowed out of active participation and are seated on the sidelines. Admirably, such longevity is no mean feat, especially having traversed through life in the midst of daunting challenges.
Life they say is in phases and as such, being elderly comes with its challenges like a decline in physical strength, health and mental cognition. These changing needs of the elderly are to be met with love and care in order to maintain a healthy life. Ironically, those who were once caregivers are now feeble, vulnerable, and in turn to be cared for.
In this regard, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, devoid of all form of biases, has deliberately shown commitment to all strata of people in the state by embarking on programmes that priortises their welfare and well-being. This commitment is evident in his ARISE Agenda, a blueprint that captures the specific development needs of Akwa Ibom people including the aged and elderly.
From the proposed establishment of a model elderly home as obtainable in other climes to cater for the welfare of senior citizens in the state, as well as a treat to an “Old School Night” for the elderly with live performances from legendary old-school artists and producers of Akwa Ibom origin including Sir E. E. Akpan, Chief Inim Eto, Sir Patrick Udo, Lee matez, Anietie Udo, Desmond Offong and Sir Lemmy Jackson, artists whose songs made waves in the 80’s and early 90’s in Nigeria as part of the 31 days of Christmas Unplugged activities, Pastor Umo Eno has introduced several novel initiatives for the elderly.
These activities have brought immense joy, fond memories, a sense of belonging, reduced social isolation and revitalised senior citizens knowing that the government has not neglected them in its programmes.
In the same vein, the Governor’s wife, Pastor Patience Eno through her project the Golden Initiative for All, GIFA, prioritises care for the elderly, one out of the eight GIFA’s focal area of concern. This passionate concern birthed the “ARISE Initiative for the Elderly”, a social welfare scheme designed to attend to the medical needs as well as providing financial support to senior citizens.
Hitting the ground running, on March 12, 2024, the First Lady with support from her husband in a maiden edition feted six hundred (600) elderly from across the 31 Local Government Areas, regardless of ethnicity, tribe, religion and political affiliations at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.
The senior citizens aged 65 years and above went through free medical checks, received medication and smiled home with Fifty Thousand Naira (50,000) each as financial support to cater for their basic needs. This exercise is scheduled to hold periodically with modalities in place to accommodate all the aged in the state.
