Gov’s wife restates commitment to elderly care

FILE: The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu

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The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has restated her commitment to improving the welfare and dignity of elderly citizens, saying they remain “pillars of wisdom, experience, and history” whose contributions must never be forgotten.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu spoke at the 2025 edition of A Day Out With the Elderly, organised by Orunshii Welcare Foundation in collaboration with the governor’s wife.

About 200 elders were drawn from nine care homes across Lagos, including Badagry and Epe.

The event featured a bus ride from Alausa, Ikeja, through Ojota, Maryland, Apongbon, Eko Atlantic, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road, Eko Hotels and Suites, and Ikoyi, with a final stop at the State House, Marina, where medical talks, exercise sessions, gift presentations, and the distribution of food items and fabrics took place.

Mrs Sanwo-Olu said the programme reflected the state’s values, noting: “Our senior citizens hold the stories of our past and the guiding principles of our future.

Creating platforms like this to celebrate them is one of the most meaningful investments we can make as a society.”

The governor’s wife said she identifies closely with Orunshii Welcare Foundation because “their aims and objectives make sense,” adding that the organisation’s consistency in “creating safe spaces for our elders to be celebrated, valued, and heard is commendable.”

She also recalled the 2024 edition, saying: “It reminded me of the power of compassion, collaboration, and communal living. For some of our elders, it was their first time on an escalator and the Blue Line Rail, and it brought back memories. We really need to be taking our elders out.”

Mrs Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos would continue to prioritise elderly-friendly programmes. “We remain deeply committed to initiatives that enhance the quality of life of elders. Through our health, social welfare, and community-based programmes, we are strengthening systems that ensure access to care, protection, and support.”

Mrs Sanwo-Olu also spoke on the upcoming Renewed Hope Initiative Elder Support Programme, led by the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“All the first ladies will be supporting 250 elders in each state with N200,000. This shows that, at the national level, our elders are being remembered.

“To our mothers and fathers here today, we celebrate you, we honour you, and we cherish the opportunity to share this day with you. You are seen, you are valued, and you remain an integral part of Lagos State.”

The Operations Lead of Orunshii Welcare Foundation, Dr Ademola Gureje, said the programme was designed to give the elderly “a bit of another life” outside their usual indoor routine.

“What we’ve done today is gather elders from nine homes across Lagos—from Ajah to Ikorodu, Ikeja, Okota, Ijede, and Apapa, as well as Badagry and Epe,” he said.

“They went sightseeing from Alausa to the Island, through Apongbon, Marina, Eko Hotel, and Ikoyi before returning to the Marina State House. We’re giving them food items and a few fabrics because we’re in the festive season. This is a way of giving back and appreciating them for all they have done.”

Explaining the selection process, he said: “We liaised with the grassroots and local governments. We told them we needed elders who are 65 years and above, ambulatory, very agile, and still productive. That was how we gathered them.”

Gureje emphasised the importance of active ageing. “The basic things for elders are rest, good food, plenty of water, fruits, and regular exercise. We don’t want them living a sedentary lifestyle. We want them to be active and productive.”

He said the project would continue beyond the event.

“This week alone, we visited all the homes and carried out assessments. We’re not just supporting with food; we’ll be supporting with other things in the future.”

He added that carers and a medical team were on the ground to ensure safety, noting: “For elderly people, you have to take care of them properly.”

Gureje described the project as one he was personally committed to.

“Every one of us will grow old one day. They have invested and worked for the progress of this nation. We must celebrate them, take them out, bless them, and show them love.”

One of the attendees, Sylva Onwunghai, expressed delight, saying: “The event is beautiful. The governor’s wife was all over the place, making everyone happy. I’m grateful to the workers who put everything in place.”

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