NGO Makes Case For Elderly

The Federal Government have been enjoined to take proactive step to promote a sustainable welfare programme for the elderly in the society.

Speaking at a Christmas party organised by the Port Harcourt metropolitan Lions Club at the weekend, the Vice District Governor of District 404A Nigeria, Lion Sam Ekpuk expressed shock over the way programme for the elderly are whimsically set aside at both state and local government areas.

He noted that the promotion of the socio-economic development at various level of corporate governance cannot be complete without a platform for a sustainable welfare package for the elderly people in the society.

He remarked that without the elderly people the future heritage of Nigerian people would not be complete.

Ekpuk, also  a banker however described the welfare elderly people as one of the cardinal agenda of the International Association of Lion clubs throughout the world.

He maintained that the care for the elderly people is an expensive business, in most advanced country, urging other humanitarian organisation, to emulate from the Port Harcourt metropolitan Lion Club in their purposeful drive to assist the needy in the society.

Earlier, the President of Port Harcourt Metropolitan Club, Lion Sado Theophilus had enumerated several projects earmarked by the club for the less privileged in the society, adding that the Christmas party was one of the token gesture by the club to the elderly in the society.

He called on other humanitarian organisations not to relent in their service for the less privileged in the society.

Responding, the Matron of the home for the elderly in Port Harcourt, Rev Sister Mary Jane Raphael, said she would ever be grateful to the Lions Club, particular for the construction of toilet bloat in 1983 of the home.