Elderly people living in Edo State have commended Edo State government for prioritising social care support and promoting access to free medical healthcare.

To demonstrate her commitment to philanthropy, the State government has provided a pair of free recommended glasses each to 18 members of elderly Persons Association of Nigeria, EPAN, Edo State Chapter.

Four other elderly people from Edo south Senatorial district in the State have been slated for eye surgeries based on the recommendation of medical experts through the relevant government ministries.

Speaking at an interactive session with some of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Clara Aghama and Mrs. Julie Azebeobor, commended the government for the lifeline.

71-year-old retired Headmistress, Mrs. Azebeobor, said aside from the health benefits, the forum makes them keep fit and enable them to embrace modern trends in Nutrition and Healthy Living as well as entertainment.

She however appealed to the State government to pay her gratuity since she retired in 2012.

According to her, “I have benefitted a lot including the lecturers since I started to attend this meeting. They entertain us sometimes too. I derive a sense of fulfilment from it. I am happy that we got glasses.

“But this is indeed hard times for us. I retired in 2012. A lot of us have not been paid our gratuity. The State government should pay us. Some of the retirees have died. As you see me now, my legs are shaking.

“Life after retirement is difficult especially for those who do not have Children that take care of them when they become old. If they had paid us our entitlements, we would have been more established”, she lamented.

Our Correspondent reports that membership of the group has evolved over the years due largely to the opportunity it has provided to engage and interrogate government policies and programmes.

Towards ensuring better welfare and equitable representation, the women’s wing of the Association, tagged: “Elderly Women in Edo State Multipurpose Cooperative society”, has been registered as a Trustee with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

At a meeting of EPAN, Edo State Chapter in July in Benin City, the Vice Chairman of Elderly Persons Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, Chief Eddy Ogbomo (JP) inaugurated the Elderly Women in Edo State Multipurpose Cooperative society where Mrs. Roseline Aremu was elected the Chairperson of the group.

Also, Mrs. Enoma Mercy and Mrs. Theresa Ineh emerged as Secretary and Treasurer of the group respectively while Mrs. Esther Owie and Mrs. Itohan Mercy Iruobe became the Vice Chairperson and Financial Secretary of the body.

 32 total views