Ikoro-Ekiti (TheGavel) – Dr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of senior citizens across Nigeria. Speaking in his hometown, Ikoro-Ekiti, Alake emphasized that the administration is dedicated to ensuring that the elderly are treated with dignity and care, in line with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
In an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alake elaborated on how the welfare of senior citizens has been integrated into the administration’s broader developmental programs. “President Tinubu is determined to accord dignity to senior citizens by giving them a new lease of life,” the minister said. He stressed that addressing the needs of the elderly has been a priority in all facets of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The focus on the welfare of the elderly was demonstrated when Alake personally distributed 1,200 bags of rice to senior citizens in Ekiti State on Saturday. The distribution, according to the minister, was carried out without consideration of political affiliation, ensuring that elderly individuals from all walks of life benefited from the initiative.
Alake acknowledged President Tinubu’s compassionate leadership, expressing gratitude for the president’s commitment to ensuring the elderly are not neglected in times of need. “1,200 bags of rice were made available to me and each minister to further supplement the established channels of distribution,” Alake explained. He emphasized the importance of extending care to elderly citizens, particularly during challenging times.
“We need to reach out to our aged fathers and mothers at times like this to demonstrate the Omoluabi values of taking care of the old in the community,” Alake said, referencing the Yoruba cultural values of respect and care for the elderly. He underscored that the elderly are often unable to compete for resources such as welfare goods distributed at public centers, hence the need for targeted interventions. “In the spirit of inclusion, it is important that we channel this intervention to mainly elderly citizens,” he said.
Alake added, “We have taken their inventory and we are delivering to them.” He assured that future interventions would extend to other vulnerable groups, including widows, orphans, persons living with disabilities, and students in higher education institutions.
In his remarks, Alake highlighted the collective responsibility of society in ensuring the welfare of senior citizens. He urged individuals, corporate organizations, and non-governmental agencies to partner with the government to provide essential services to vulnerable populations.
“This is a bold step in rewriting our history as a people and changing the undesirable narrative of our lack of desire to adequately take care of our elderly population,” he said. Alake also reiterated that caring for the elderly is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared duty. “Those of you that are very familiar with me can attest to the fact that, at every opportunity, especially at events like this, I have always canvassed that nowhere in the world can government alone meet the needs of its citizens.”
The minister urged prominent individuals and organizations to step up and contribute to the well-being of their communities. “We need to encourage partnership with high-net-worth individuals, corporate organizations, and non-governmental agencies to ensure the welfare of the citizens,” he noted.
Alake also called on Ekiti residents to lend their support to the elderly and other vulnerable groups, emphasizing that the fight against hunger and poverty requires collective effort. “All hands must be on deck to support efforts to rid the state of hunger and poverty,” he said.
This initiative marks another significant step in the Tinubu administration’s quest to ensure that senior citizens receive the care and attention they deserve, reaffirming the government’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.(NAN)
Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com