By Eghosa Emily
As a way of celebrating the National Day of Senior Citizens, which is usually marked on October 5th each year, the Edo State Government through the Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs has felicitated with the senior citizens of the State.
This year’s event has the theme “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World”. The Ministry of Health also partnered with the Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs to render free medical services to the senior citizens.
Also, as part of activities to mark the celebration of the Senior Citizen’s Day, the Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs paid a visit to the Elderly Persons Association of Nigeria (EPAN), Edo State Chapter during one of their monthly meetings held at Baptist Conference Hall, TV Road, Benin City.
The event witnessed the attendance of over 52 elderly persons in the State.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Ifueko Alufokhai, said she was delighted to be in the midst of the senior citizens and promised to always grant audience to the association whenever the need arises.
Mrs. Alufokhai reaffirmed Edo State’s government commitment to the welfare of senior citizens and how it has propelled the government’s actions to ensure the signing of the Edo State Senior Citizens’ Policy and its smooth implementation.
The Vice Chairman of EPAN, Mr. Eddy Ogbomo, who was elated by the presence of the Permanent Secretary, described her as one of the engine rooms of the current administration and prayed for her success.
He commended the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, for her sustained support for the well-being of senior citizens in the State.
He, therefore, encouraged members of the association to pray for the country and support the government by admonishing their children not to engage in violence and ballot snatching in the forthcoming general elections.
In his remark, the State Health Promotion Officer, Mr. Denyinye Hitlar, who spoke on physical activities, said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has given certain criteria for the type and duration of physical exercises an elderly person should do.
He identified three types of exercises which are moderate, Intense and muscle exercise. Some of these exercises were also put into practice. Mr. Hitlar, advised the senior citizens to develop the habit of exercising as this would help reduce cancer, hypertension, diabetes and improve blood circulation.
One of the participants at the event, Mrs. Ogbonmwan Lilian Osato, said that she was delighted at the free medical services offered during the program.
Another Participant, Mr. Obamwonyi Agbonlahor, commended the government for the initiative and enjoined the government to empower Primary Health Care Agencies in order to reach more senior citizens.
