The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has called for greater care and support for senior citizens, stressing that growing old should not mean being forgotten by the society they helped to build.
Sanwo-Olu made the call during her visit to senior citizens across Badagry Central LGA, Badagry West LCDA and Olorunda LCDA, as part of an elderly support initiative. She said the outreach was not only about providing financial assistance but also about showing love, respect and appreciation to older persons.
The First Lady noted that even modest financial support could make a difference to elderly people with limited income, particularly in meeting immediate needs such as food and household items. She, however, stressed that a phone call, visit, listening ear or assistance with routine activities could sometimes mean more than material support.
She urged families to remain actively involved in caring for ageing parents and relatives rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to government or philanthropic organisations. She also called on community leaders, religious organisations, youth groups and traditional institutions to identify vulnerable elderly people and ensure they receive the necessary support.
Sanwo-Olu recalled that the elderly visitation programme began its Badagry Division phase on July 29, with visits to senior citizens in Ori-Ade, Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo, where food items and cash support were distributed. She said the initiative had already covered Lagos, Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry divisions, leaving Ikeja as the only division yet to be reached.
She also acknowledged the elderly support interventions of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, saying such efforts were important in promoting the dignity and welfare of older persons.
The First Lady, who said this was her first opportunity to physically participate in the visitation since the initiative began more than four years ago, described the outreach as a demonstration that senior citizens remained valued members of society.
She emphasised that the programme was driven by compassion rather than politics, urging stakeholders to work together to ensure that elderly residents are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.
The outreach ended in Iworo, Olorunda LCDA, where Sanwo-Olu paid a courtesy visit to the Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Oladele Friday Kosoko, Ogundeyi II, at the Iworo Central Palace.
The monarch commended the First Lady for extending the initiative to elderly residents in the community, describing it as a thoughtful intervention. He disclosed that he had been providing monthly stipends to some identified elderly people in Iworo since ascending the throne and pledged continued support for programmes aimed at improving the welfare of senior citizens and other vulnerable residents.
