Stakeholders seek special welfare programmes for senior citizens

Osogbo Grammar School Alumni Association (OGSAA) has organised a love feast to celebrate senior citizens in Osogbo, Osun State. Commenting during the event, Roving Coordinator, Elders’ Consultative Forum and National Vice President, OGSAA, Dr. David Tola Winjobi, said there should be legislation by government to ensure that gratuities of those who served their fatherland are paid at least two months after disengagement while monthly pensions should start a month after retirement.

Winjobi stated that denying these senior citizens their entitlements should be met with stringent sanctions according to the law. He also recommended free healthcare services in health facilities across the country for all adults above 65 years of age.

He appealed to schools where there are functioning alumni associations across Nigeria to launch welfare programmes for their senior citizens.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion and the first National President of OGSAA, Prof. Michael Fisayo Ologunde, said the senior citizens in the association are a crop of people who have made an impact one way or the other in life.

“Many of them through their fields of endeavours have contributed immensely to the peace, progress and development of Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, many are not recognised by the government or any groups for the feats achieved by these elderly ones despite the fact that they have served and some are still serving their fatherland wholeheartedly.”