Concerned aboult senior citizens, welfare, pension and longevity, A group called Osogbo Grammar School Alumni Association OGSAA, has organized special treat for its Elders’ Consultative Forum by giving and showing love to them..
Dr David Tola Winjobi, Roving Coordinator, Elders’ Consultative Forum OGSAA, and National Vice President discoosed at a love Fest for senior.citizens in Osogbo,Osun State.
“”There should be a legislation by governments at all levels to ensure that gratuities of those who have served their fatherland are paid at least two months after disengagement while monthly pensions should start the following month of their retirement. Failure to deny these senior citizens their entitlements should be met with stringent sanctions according to the law.”
Winjobi said, “There should be a policy on free health care services in all our health facilities across the country for all adults above 65 years of age. It is not enough to disguise free health care or health insurance under mere free consultation; the free services should encompass free drugs and surgery as may be required. Health care policy for our aged should be comprehensive and free without let or hindrance”.
He said unfortunately, some senior citizens have been living alone under pitiable conditions , some do not have mates they can relate with as they have lost contact with them many years ago.
“For some, recreation is out of it as they don’t even know where to go to recreate. Sad to note, some are waiting to die, while some are aging gracefully. Loneliness kills faster; fraternizing with friends and family tends to prolong life.” -Winjobi said.
In addition, we have a created a WhatsApp platform where we have quite a sizeable number of them though the platform We want our senior citizens to come together to reminisce on the past and enjoy themselves and thanking God as well for making them to be alive.
He appealed to schools where there are functioning alumni associations across Nigeria to launch similar programme for their senior citizens. Futher, the executives of such old students’ association should organize a once in a year or twice a year or quarterly forum whereby these senior citizens would come together to felicitate with one another, play games together, throw banters, wine and dine so as not to only give them a sense of belonging but also to stem loneliness and prolong their lives.
Winjobi, also charged children of these aged people to cultivate the habit of visiting their parents from time to time, spending quality time with them, putting smiles on their faces and supporting them in all ramifications possible rather than leaving their aged parents in the hands of wonton caregivers and careless neighbours. If such children are living far away they should arrange for trusted relations to be living with them.
In addition, the retired civil servants should not be made to undergo the rigour of going to any government secretariat for ungodly verification exercise as many of them are no longer agile while some that make it often collapse at the verification centres. Instead, pension officers should visit those elders in their various homes to capture or update the data of the latter
Winjobi emphasized that bearing in mind the autonomy granted the local governments recently, they should establish at least one senior citizen’s home per ward in each of the local government areas. These homes should be equipped with relevant materials and assorted games tailored to the need of old citizens so as to serve as a forum for them to recreate with fellow senior citizens.
Eariler, Professor Michael Fisayo Ologunde Chairman of the occasion the first National President of Osogbo Grammar School Alumni Association (OGSAA) .added the senior citizens among OGSAA are a crop of people who have made impact one way or the other in life. Many of them through their fields of endeavors have contributed immensely to the peace, progress and development of Nigeria.
Unfortunately, many are not recognized by the government or any groups for the feats achieved by these elderly ones despite the fact that they have served and some are still serving their fatherland weholeheartedly.Ologunde appreciated the National President Professor Solomon Olufemi Fadiora, our senior citizens and all for a successful maiden event.
The highlights of the event include dancing to old tunes, playing of assorted games (ludo, ayo olopon, whot, draft, chess scrabble) health check, and health talk on old age and your health. There is plenty to eat and drink to make the day enjoyable and memorable. It was full of fun including reminiscing on old school days, throwing of banters, plating pranks, jokes among of others
