THE Senator representing the Lagos Central Senatorial District, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to the aged to vote for persons with competence and integrity in next year’s elections.
Mrs. Tinubu made the plea at her 13th Town Hall meeting and third edition of “Elderly People Assistance Scheme (ECAS)” for the senatorial district.
The senator stated that a vote for persons with character and genuine heart for service would be the legacy the elderly could give to their children.
She urged the elders not to rest on their oars, but to ask themselves what they could do for others.
Her words: “As elections approach, we must vote for competence, integrity, character and a genuine heart for service as this is the legacy we can give to our children, because what we give to them is what we give to ourselves.”
Tinubu, while quoting a motivational speaker, Chris Murray, reminded the people that the choice they make would lead them to the future they deserve, adding: “May God guide us to choose right for ourselves and generations yet unborn in this forthcoming election.”
Reading her scorecard at the gathering where 1,300 aged people received N10,000 each, the senator said she introduced the ECAS programme to focus on bringing more sunshine into the lives of the ageing citizens.
Emphasising the need for adequate social welfare scheme for the elderly, Tinubu said the theme: “The elderly in the eyes of posterity,” was apt for the meeting.
Her words: “The question is what provisions and plans have we as a government put in place to guarantee an elderly-friendly environment?
“In response to this, we began our yearly celebration for the elderly within this district as part of efforts to demonstrate that social security can be achieved in the Nigerian society, while I also sponsored a Bill to provide social security for the elderly.
“The Bill, National Social Security Agency Bill 2012, has progressed to the third reading stage.
“Another Bill, the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (Amendment) Bill 2014, also aimed at providing social security for those registered with the NSITF Board, was referred to the Conference Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity of both the Senate and House, which I am a member.
“This committee has considered it and will present its report to both chambers of the National Assembly. I pledge to continue to support efforts that will make social security for the elderly a reality.
“There is no better time than this period of festivity to celebrate our elders. A survey carried out by the Royal Voluntary Service in the United Kingdom indicates that more citizens that are elderly will spend Christmas day alone because their children are away.
“The reality is the same for many elderly citizens in Nigeria because of the collapse of our traditional system of support for the elderly.
“Today, many younger ones are unemployed, unable to fend for themselves and their dependants, who are elderly. Those who should be enjoying a period of rest at retirement are forced to continue to bear the burden of providing for the younger ones.”
“Beyond celebration, therefore, lies the future of our children. Today’s celebration calls for sober reflection, as we await the release of over 200 kidnapped school children, and in view of many atrocities being committed against our youths, who are the future of our country.
“Our mission is to salvage the dreams of our youths, and those of the founders of independent Nigeria.
“Although nationwide development appears to be on the decline, we must believe in the possibility of a better Nigeria. Our duty to posterity is to preserve hope in our children.
“We must guide them so that they can channel their energies into worthy causes and make informed choices to realise their potentials,” she said.
At the event were wife of Lagos Governor Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Chief Folarin Coker; Prince Murphy Adetoro; representative of Fashola, Musiliu Folarin; former Lagos Commissioners, Wale Edun and Tunde Balogun, as well as former Surelere Local Government Chairman, Tajudeen Ajide, among others.
In her remark, Mrs. Fashola extolled the senator for being consistent in caring for the aged.
She recalled how Mrs. Tinubu ensured that the Lagos Public Officers Wives’ Association started and completed a retirement villa in Lekki, urging other elected public officers to take a cue from her.
“This is not the first time Senator Tinubu will be doing this and it won’t be the last. But it is the first time she has brought everybody together in the same roof. Before, we usually had this town hall meeting simultaneously at our various local governments.
“She is very passionate about caring for the elderly. She has not relented. I pray that God will keep strengthening her.
“I advice other political aspirants too take a cue from her. She is meticulous, concerned and caring. She says things as they are. Everything that concerns her must be good because she has devoted time and resources in caring for other people.
“She is sowing seed of goodness for generations to come and has led the foundation for us all to emulate because in the APC, we want nothing less,” said Mrs. Fashola.
Mrs. Fashola appealed to the beneficiaries to collect their voter cards and ensure that the APC, which she said “is the party that cares about them”, is voted in at the next election.
