Oyo State Government has pledged to accept and key into United Nations standard of taking good care of Senior Citizens.
The State Acting Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal made the promise while hosting a United Nations Advocacy Group on rights and standard of living for old people.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Grace Oderinde led the United Nations’ envoy advocating for rights and standards of living of old citizens to the Acting Governor of the state.
Addressing the UN team, Barriste Lawal said that Africans most especially the Yoruba race have social and cultural standards that guide them as a tribe, and as humans not to neglect the elderly. He noted that ageing is irreversible as a natural phenomenon.
While commending the activities of the United Nations’ team on Senior Citizens, the Acting governor emphasized that the present administration’s policy on its citizens is all encompassing and it also accommodates the welfare of the senior citizens with prompt payment of their pensions and gratuities.
Earlier in her address, the UN expert on enjoyment for all human rights, Mrs. Claudia Mahler, sought for the support and collaboration of the state government in making sure that the rights of the Senior Citizens in the state are protected, while the Executive assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Administration, Reverend Idowu Ogedengbe also appealed to the UN to support the state financially in achieving the goals.
The team had earlier paid homage to the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun, Ali OKunmade II, at his Alarere Place where they also made their mission known.
The Monarch assured them of his full support and collaboration.
They envoy also visited the Geriatric Center, University Teaching Hospital UCH,Ibadan, where they were received by the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo.