Wife of Lady of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the importance of caring for senior citizens, saying growing old should never mean being forgotten by the society they helped to build.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu stated this during her visit to senior citizens in Badagry, comprising Badagry Central LGA, Badagry West LCDA and Olorunda LCDA, describing the historic community of Badagry as a place with a rich history, deep cultural heritage and people whose contributions remain an important part of Lagos’ story.
She explained that the visitation, organised under the elderly support initiative, was not simply about providing financial assistance, but about showing love, respect and appreciation to older persons.
According to her, senior citizens should continue to feel valued and included, regardless of whether they are still in active employment or able to carry out all the activities they once could.
She recalled that the first phase of the visitation to senior citizens within Badagry division commenced on July 29, with visits to senior citizens in Ori-Ade, Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo, where some food items and cash support were provided for the beneficiaries.
She also acknowledged the elderly support efforts of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through her Renewed Hope Initiative, (RHI), noting the importance of sustaining interventions that promote the wellbeing and dignity of older persons across the country.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu said the initiative had already covered the Lagos, Ikorodu and Epe Divisions, with Badagry now being reached, leaving Ikeja as the only division yet to be covered under the ongoing visitation programme.
She stated that this was her first opportunity to physically participate in the visitation since the initiative began more than four years ago, expressing happiness at being able to interact directly with some of the senior citizens and share moments with them.
While acknowledging that the financial support provided to beneficiaries might appear modest, the First Lady noted that such gesture could make a meaningful difference to an elderly person with limited income, particularly in meeting immediate needs such as food, household items and other personal necessities.
She, however, stressed that the greater value of the gesture was the message it conveyed to the elderly: ‘You matter. We remember you. You are still part of us.’
Dr Sanwo-Olu emphasised that the initiative was not politically motivated, but driven by compassion and the recognition that the welfare and dignity of senior citizens should remain a collective responsibility.
She called on families not to transfer the responsibility of caring for elderly parents and relatives entirely to government or philanthropic organisations, stressing that children and younger family members must continue to provide care, companionship and support to their ageing relatives.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu observed that what an elderly person needs is not always financial assistance, noting that a phone call, a visit, a listening ear or assistance with a hospital or market visit could sometimes mean more than material support.
She also urged community leaders, religious organisations, youth groups and traditional institutions to identify elderly people who may be vulnerable or living alone, while encouraged neighbours to look out for older persons within their communities.
According to her, the welfare of senior citizens was an important component of Lagos State’s broader social development agenda, noting that Lagos remained committed to inclusion and the principle of leaving no one behind.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu encouraged the senior citizens to remain socially connected, take good care of their health, maintain positive relationships and continue to pursue purposeful activities within their abilities. She also urged them to seek assistance whenever necessary rather than suffering in silence.
She expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers, community leaders, families and volunteers supporting the initiative, and urged all stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that senior citizens are treated with dignity, compassion and respect.
The First Lady, who concluded the outreach in Iworo, under Olorunda LCDA, also seized the opportunity to visit the paramount ruler of the community, Oba Oladele Friday Kosoko, the Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom, at the Iworo Central Palace.
The First Class Monarch commended the First Lady’s initiative of reaching out to elderly citizens in the community, describing it as a thoughtful intervention that reflects compassion and respect for the aged.
He disclosed that, since ascending the throne, he had been providing monthly stipends to some identified elderly persons within the community as part of his commitment to their welfare and wellbeing.
He expressed appreciation to the First Lady for extending the gesture to Iworo Kingdom, noting that initiatives that support senior citizens not only provide material assistance but also reassure them that their contributions to society are valued and remembered.
The monarch also pledged his continued support for programmes and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the elderly and other vulnerable members of the community.