On Wednesday, no fewer than 300 elderly persons were beneficiaries of free medical checkups, medications, and consumables under the auspices of the Omituntun for Life Foundation.
The “Senior Citizens Healthcare Outreach” held at the Oyo Government House, Ibadan, saw medical practitioners run tests for the beneficiaries, particularly retirees, to check their blood sugar level, blood pressure, PCV, and receive the requisite drugs.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the governor of Oyo State, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, tasked the ‘senior citizens with eating healthy, regular medical checkups, controlled consumption of foods with high calories and cholesterol, and adequate rest.
She said the foundation deemed it fit to extend its hand of care and support to the elderly, having done the same for women, widows, young girls, and less privileged persons in the state.
She said, “Let’s celebrate our parents because not everyone can make it so far. For those who have made it so far, I congratulate you and pray that you will eat the fruit of your labour.
“Today, you will be going home with food items, drugs, and cash. We want to remind you that you are all loved and cherished, and to know that you are never alone.
“You will all be going home with a proper medical checkup and advice. Always listen to what doctors and health practitioners say, ensure you take your medication regularly, and endeavour to go for periodic check-ups at the primary healthcare centres.
“Go for a medical check-up and avoid foods with high calories and cholesterol that your body can no longer burn as they used to; sleep well; and most importantly, move to God. As humans, the sun can set at any time. It is important to move closer to God and spend quality time with your children and grandchildren.
“Embrace modern technology to stay connected to programmes through video calls and social media that can enhance your daily lives positively.”
The programme was organised by the Omituntun for Life Foundation in collaboration with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Medplus.
In his remarks, the Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State, Mr. Olusegun Abatan, thanked the governor’s wife for the gesture, saying it is the first time in the history of the Western Region that the wife of a state governor would find pensioners worthy of a healthcare outreach.
He said the gesture speaks volumes, describing it as an extension of love and compassion that Governor Makinde has been extending to pensioners since he became governor of the state.
He said, “Prompt payment of pensions and gratuities by His Excellency has stemmed the tide of death among pensioners. While we were being classified as dead, Engineer Seyi Makinde resurrected us.
“With your Excellency’s gesture today, you are making a point that you and your husband want pensioners to live long to enjoy the fruits of their labour.
Like husband and wife, you are by this gesture bonding with pensioners, and as you want pensioners to live longer, by the special grace of the Most High God, you and the governor will live long in good health and sound mind and in the benevolence of God.”
