Tina Amanda
Government at all levels has been called on to plan and strategically invest in the care and support of the Elderly in Nigeria, having spent their youthful years for the growth and development of the country.
Port Harcourt Zonal Chairman, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Peter Onita, made the call when the Women in PENGASSAN in collaboration with Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN) visited the Home for the Elderly, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, to display a show of love and care to the Senior Citizens.
Comrade Onita pointed out that there is urgent need for government to make policy on ageing in Nigeria to avert the impending poverty and related challenges faced by most Elderly people in the country.
“PENGASSAN as an Association is not all about our workers welfare. As part of our program, it is our responsibility to also give back to the society and giving back to the society should not be in the hands of government or Non government organizations alone. What we have done is to encourage other parastatals and sisters association to support the Elderly and those who need help in the society.
“Through PENGASSAN Women, we have been able to contribute in our own little way. We use the opportunity to call on government both at federal, state and local, we voted them into power and they are under oath for the responsibility of all Nigerians, including the young and the old.
“Government should add more effort to what they are doing, we agree that some parastatals of government are taking care, but if you check in some states, most Homes of the Elderly are being run by Churches, organizations or individuals. If you travel outside the shores of the country especially the western part, you would see that the Elderly are being given attention and protection.
“We would like our government at all levels to work out good plans for the Elderly, including other agencies and organisations to do same, then the society will be better for us all, government is about the good of all.”
Also, Chairperson Women in PENGASSAN Port Harcourt Zone, Comrade Ure Orikoha, said it is an annual ritual tagged: “Feeding of the Poor End of the Year Project” where support and care is giving to the less privileged, orphans, while urging other individuals, organizations, parastatals to extend same love and care to the Elderly in the society.
“This is an initiative that has been ongoing before I came into leadership. We want more Professionals, associations, individuals, groups and organisations to collaborate with us to make it more elaborate just as the Association of Women Engineers partnered.
“In the Holy Book Psalms 71 verse 9, it says, “cast not the Elderly at their old age, forsake not when their strength faileth” who does that is going against the law of God and remember too the Law of God says; take care of your parents so that your days maybe long. There are promises attached in taking care of the aged ones.”
On her part, Caregiver at the Home for the Elderly, Pauline Okorie, who spoke on behalf of the Matron, Reverend Sister Jane-Rapheal Agubusi, thanked the Women in PENGASSAN for their kind gesture, while encouraging young ones not to abandon their aged parents who took care of them when they were little, but provide adequate care and attention to them.
According to our correspondent, Items donated are wheel chairs, clutches, food stuffs, amongst others.
