Monarch Advocates Creation Of Federal Commission For Aged

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

ABEOKUTA - The Oluwo of Iwo kingdom, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has called on both federal and state governments to establish commission or agency that will be responsible for the welfare of the senior citizens in the country. 

Oba Abdulrasheed made this call on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital after being decorated as Ambassador of Senior Citizens Care Foundation, a non-governmental organization founded by former World Court Judge, Prince Bola Ajibola.

The monarch noted that, the aged who were mostly widows and widowers are often neglected and lonely, stressing that it become imperative for government at all levels to set up a department that will henceforth provide for the needs of the aged in the country. 

He added that, even though, there is no constitutional provision for the aged in the country, the leadership should at least ensure that the welfare of the senior citizens remains the responsibility of the government. 

He therefore, commended the founder, Senior Citizens Care Foundation, Prince Bola Ajibola for improving the welfare of the aged in the society and creating a future for the elderly ones. 

"No future for the elderly in this country. Nobody wants to be old again. I want to commend our Baba Ajibola for creating a future for the elderly. They lonely and are often neglected, especially the elderly.

"I think everybody will become old one day and I think we should give assurance and a future for our elderly ones, because we'll grow old one day and if we don't start doing something now, it will affect all of us in the future. 

"As Ambassador of this foundation, this is what I've been doing, but I have been charged to be more committed and I will do everything within my armbit to give back to the aged, because we need to create a conducive atmosphere for our elders. We have many elders that are widowers, widows and I'm calling on FG to start a campaign and create awareness among the youths to prepare for their future tomorrow.

"I will advocate that the government should find a commission to take care of the elderly ones. They are lonely, depressed and many of them need friends, and we need to be their friends so that when we grow old, someone else will be our friends".