Care for the aged, cleric tells Nigerians

A man raises his hands during a prayer at the “singles summit” held at Prayer City on February 18, 2017. The “singles summit” is one of a number of events offered by popular Pentecostal churches across Nigeria to prepare singles for relationships in a country where marriage still plays a major role in society. / AFP PHOTO / STEFAN HEUNIS

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Offa Diocese, of Kwara State has begun geriatric care for the aged as a way of providing for their basic needs.

Speaking, yesterday, at the second session of the Seventh Synod of the church, Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Rev. Olusola Akanbi, said it was God’s injunction to the church to cater for the poor and the aged.

The theme of the Synod, holding at Saint Mark Cathedral Church Offa, is ‘Faith in Action.’

Akanbi said the church had constituted a Welfare Visitation Committee, dominated by medical experts across the diocese to draw up a blueprint that would effectively meet the needs of the elderly in the church.

“Already, the team after paying visitations to some of the aged, identified some of their basic challenges to include deterioration in health due to poverty and loneliness.

“Besides, the committee’s reports showed some of them, aged between 60-90, were famished while a few others are kept in poorly ventilated homes.”

He urged all Christians to embrace peace and unity while canvassing for more participation in politics.

Meanwhile, the Bishop, said 50 youths in the diocese had been trained and empowered in vocational skills.

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