Omowunmi Semudara
Women in Ministry has called on the Government of Nigeria to look into the numerous challenges faced by the aged in the society.
The women which were from the Redeemed Christan Church of God Region 10 Abuja, made this call during a courtesy visit to Amazing Grace Foundation ( Elderly Care Home) in Abuja on Friday.
The group lamented at the lack of adequate provision for the aged in the country’s constitution and policy formulation.
Speaking during the visit,Folashade Akiode Wife of the Pastor in charge of RCCG region 10 Abuja noted that The Neglect of the aged has become a big challenge to society.
” It is one of the reasons why we are here today, the society needs to be reoriented on the need to prioritize care for the aged.
Mummy Folu Adeboye is so passionate about this, hence the mandate for women in RCCG to visit the aged homes and extend hands of love to them.”
On her part, Medina Obaitua Women Leader RCCG Master’s Place, implored the Government to take action in ensuring retirees are adequately compensated so as to meet their needs after their days in service.
She urged the masses to question political leaders on how they care for their aged parents, this according to her is a yardstick to measure how well they will take cognisance of the public needs when they get to power.
She said ” some of our political leaders have their parents in elderly homes because they don’t have time for them, how can someone who doesn’t have time for his own parent have time for the masses? It is high time we begin to check and balance our political leaders speech and Action by measuring their disposition to their own people.”
“The Government should create platforms for the elderly needs in the aspect of health care, needs, legal right protection and other nescesities of life, so the aged in the society can enjoy their old age.”
In response the Founder of the Amazing Grace Elders Home care Dr Mrs Ifeyinwa Mary stated that the visit from the group is an answered prayer, according to her due to the current state of the nation’s economy it has become really difficult to manage and run the home care.
She explained that the home care has stopped to take in more persons as they are struggling with the ones they have on ground.
Recounting her experience so far she narrated how old and aged members of the society have been deprived and cheated of their rights even by their own children.
” Elderly women are being raped, most times they are denied if their electoral rights, some even have years of unpaid pension leaving them at the mercy of hunger and frustration which is why some of them die out of depression, they are sad and weak, look at the Nigeria roads it’s not suitable for their movement especially because most of them are battling with old age sickness which disrupt their movement and agility.”
She called on the society to take the initiative to stand up for the elders and ensure their comfort and happiness are intact, she also called for collaboration and synergy in enlightening the public on the need to prioritize the care of old parents.
