A group of prominent Nigerians under the aegis of 60 Plus Advocacy Initiative which is a non-profit non-religious, non-partisan and non-governmental organisation working in partnership with some local and international bodies to advocate for social justice and quality living for the elderly in Nigeria on Thursday, 7th October 2021 celebrated the International Day of Older Persons at the MRC hall of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) by donating Two Shuttle Tricycles to the Geniatric Unit.
The move, designed to ameliorate the intra-community mobility plight of the older persons in the LASUTH community, is one of the many ways that the three and half year-old Advocacy initiative seeks to support the elderly in the society.
In promoting the collective interest of senior citizens’ rights in Nigeria by lending their voices and ensures that it is heard by creating public awareness on matters that will improve the quality of living, the initiative has embarked on a number of projects that have since advanced the cause of creating recognition and respect for the rights of older citizens.
Championing campaigns against discriminations and abuse of the senior citizen on grounds of age, the Non-Governmental Oganization has developed suitable training programmes and train volunteers who are willing to serve as care givers for the senior citizens.
Speaking at the 2021 International Day of Older Persons celebration, the Chairman of 60 Plus Advocacy Initiative, Dr Yinka Obalade, unveiled that the decision to support the Elders in LASUTH community was borne out of the passion to support the Older citizens who do not have personal means of transportation.
He further explained that majority of them usually experience hardship in boarding public transport owing to age not being on their side anymore.
“In a bid to alleviate the plight of these elders trekking a long distance to various halls, we have decided to put a smile on their faces by providing 2 Brand new Tricycles which will be used as shuttle from the LASUTH gate to their various halls of residence.”
“The tricycles, meant to operate within the LASUTH community will be maintained and run by the initiative. It was also stated by the Chairman that the operators of the shuttles will be hired and be given monthly salary by the initiative”, he added.
“This is not the only thing we have done as we have collaborated with Ilera Eko, thereby making provisions for Health Insurance for some of the beneficiaries of the initiative.
Also, by the end of the year, there are plans to host the older citizens to a celebratory event tagged “Elders’ Festival” where people aged 60 and above will be hosted to a mini-party, all free of charge, just as a way of showing love to our elders in the festive period”.
Commenting on the donation, one of the guests present at the presentation ceremony showered encomium on the initiative by appreciating the kindness.
‘We are excited for this show of love. Many people always have to struggle for the limited available means of transportation, but this donation will go a long way in improving the situation. We are indeed happy and grateful for this support. God bless the organizers”, he concluded.
The 60 plus Advocacy initiative is driven with the objective of seeking the best interest of Older persons through Social Advocacy, engagements and through awareness creation about the plight and social wellbeing of the senior citizens in Nigeria.
