The Lagos State Government, through the Office of the First Lady, in collaboration with the Orunsii WellCare Foundation, has hosted about 200 senior citizens to the second edition of A Day Out With the Elderly.
It reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare, dignity and inclusion of older persons in the state.
The event, held at the Lagos State House, Marina, brought together elderly persons drawn from care homes and communities across the state, including Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu.
It featured a guided sightseeing tour of major landmarks in Lagos, health education, gift presentations and goodwill messages from stakeholders.
The governor’s wife, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the initiative as a personal passion, noting that the joy and fulfilment derived from seeing elderly citizens happy and engaged was immeasurable.
“This is the second edition of A Day Out With the Elderly, and it is an initiative that remains very close to my heart. Seeing the smiles on the faces of our senior citizens is deeply fulfilling. It is a blessing on its own,” she said.
Recalling the maiden edition held in 2024, the First Lady said the elderly were taken on a symbolic journey from Alausa to Marina, with a ride on the Blue Line rail to Mile 2, an experience she said left many of them overwhelmed with excitement.
Building on that experience, she explained that this year’s programme was expanded to give the elderly a broader view of the changing Lagos landscape. “This year, we decided to give them another experience across Lagos, up to Bar Beach and the Eko Atlantic City. Many of them told us they had only seen these places on television, so they were excited to see them physically. We also took them through the Coastal Road linking Lagos to Calabar, and they were thrilled,” she added.
The First Lady also commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, describing her as a mentor and a consistent advocate for the elderly through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“She has always celebrated the elderly, even before becoming First Lady. Now, she is doing it on a larger scale. Next week, all 36 state First Ladies will host the Renewed Hope Elders Support Programme, where no fewer than 250 elders in each state will receive ₦200,000,” she disclosed.
She stressed that older persons deserved recognition and care for their years of service to the nation. “Our elders need to know that we remember them, recognise them, appreciate and value them. They have served this country and must be celebrated, cared for and shown love, despite our tight schedules,” she said.
Explaining the scope and objectives of the programme, the Operations Lead of Orunsii WellCare Foundation, Dr. Ademola Gureje, said the initiative was designed to break the monotony of daily life for the elderly and remind them of their continued relevance in society.
“We brought together elderly persons from nine care homes across Lagos State, as well as elders from Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu. Many of them spend most of their time indoors, so we wanted to give them a different experience,” he said.
According to him, the elderly were taken on a sightseeing bus tour from Alausa through Akpongbon, Marina, the Eko Hotel axis, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Oniru and other parts of the city before arriving at the venue.
Dr. Gureje said participants also received seasonal gifts, including food items and fabrics, to mark the festive period.
“The whole idea is to celebrate them. They have invested in this country and worked for its progress. This is our way of giving back, appreciating them and reminding them that they are valued,” he said.
On the selection process, he explained that the Foundation worked with nine registered elderly homes and local government authorities across areas such as Ajah, Ikorodu, Makoko, Ijede and Apapa. The criteria, he said, included being 65 years and above, ambulatory and relatively active.
He put the number of participants at about 200 and added that the Foundation carried out assessment visits to the homes ahead of the event.
“This project is continuous. Beyond food support, we plan to intervene in other areas based on our assessments,” he said, noting that medical teams and caregivers were on standby throughout the programme to address any emergencies.
Welcoming the elderly, Pharmacist Lukemon Anibaba thanked them for turning out despite the heavy rainfall, describing their presence as inspiring.
“We really appreciate you for coming out to spend quality time with us. We believe you have enjoyed yourselves, and I can assure you that we have a lot more to offer. We want to take good care of our elderly because we also hope to grow old and live long,” he said.
Mrs. Olamide Ibitiyo also expressed delight at the turnout and wished the elderly a Merry Christmas in advance.
Dr. Ayojoke Coker, in her remarks, said the strength of any community could be measured by how well it cared for its most vulnerable members.
“In every elderly person is a young mind waiting to express itself. I am proud of what the First Lady and Orunsii WellCare Foundation are doing. This is how societies should treat their elders,” she said.
Representing the British Council Country Director, Mrs. Kalu Omoji described the initiative as exceptional, saying it had far-reaching psychological and emotional benefits.
“What has been done here is remarkable. By bringing the elderly together, you have restored dignity, inclusion and a sense of belonging. This initiative aligns with the British Council’s values of inclusivity, diversity and equality,” she said.
She added that the programme evoked memories of a time when older people were more visible and integrated into community life, urging continued support for the Foundation.
Dr. Bakare, who also spoke at the event, described the outing as a source of joy for both the elderly and society at large, noting that caring for elders guaranteed a brighter future for younger generations.
“They toured Lagos, saw the beauty of the city and created memories they will share for a long time. This is a laudable programme that deserves the support of all stakeholders,” she said.
She also delivered a health talk, advising the elderly on nutrition, exercise and general wellbeing. According to him, ageing requires moderation in food intake, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, adequate hydration and regular physical activity to prevent joint pains and inactivity-related illnesses.
Beyond official speeches, the event also highlighted personal stories of the elderly participants. Ninety-one-year-old Pa Olakita Araba expressed gratitude for the care and attention shown, while a retired pilot and former flight inspection and calibration expert, who once oversaw Nigeria’s airspace,
Sir Silver Onwunghai, described the outing as “beautiful” and called for better treatment of older persons in the country.
“Elderly people should be well taken care of. Too often, they are neglected. Programmes like this restore hope and dignity,” he said.
Organisers said A Day Out With the Elderly was part of a broader effort to promote healthy ageing, social inclusion and respect for senior citizens, assuring that the initiative would be sustained and expanded in the coming years.
