-As community elders pledge maximum support for Tinubu, other APC candidates
Senior citizens in Igbogo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) were, on Friday, hosted by the Executive Chairman of the Council, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), who lauded their contributions to the growth and development of the community.
Aroyewun, who said that the contributions of the elders in the past are what brought about the greatness of today, further pledged his support for them, at the parley tagged, “Elders Appreciation Day”, during which the senior citizens who were made up of elderly residents and retirees, also pledged their own support.
“I am so happy because, number one, you who saw my little beginnings are all present here and I want to thank God that all the sacrifices you made in the past are what has birthed today’s greatness. You could have done other things and we may not know the outcome but we are enjoying the grace of God in your life and I am really happy”, Aroyewun said.
He specifically thanked Mrs Bisi Bello Mustapha, a retired school head, and Mrs Aroyewun, also a retired secondary school principal among others, for standing up for his aspiration as the Chairman of IBLCDA with their prayers, physical presence and other supports.
While stating that he approved the usage of the council facilities for the group of the elderly residents to hold their meetings and activities, Aroyewun, who also recalled his upbringing in Igbobo, mentioned some other members of the group – Mrs Famuyiwa, Mrs Abdul and others for their discipline, support and contributions to youth and the development of the community generally.
While emphasizing the importance of senior citizens in any community, Aroyewun stressed that IBLCDA is blessed with good elders that are concerned about the development of Igbogbo.
“You see, there is no way a land can be good without elders, but not just an elder but enough elders who are sincere and good. God loves us in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, because we have good elders who are concerned about the development.
“I have said it on several occasions, that, if there is anything I am blessed with, it is the people around me. God has blessed me with the gift of human resources and I am thankful for that. Before I take a step, you’d all prayed for me, so, everything I do, I can see the hands of God in it because of you people”.
Chairman Aroyewun, stating the importance of honouring the senior citizens, stressed that it is necessary to honour and treat them well so that the generations coming after will remember what he and members of his administration have done and treat them [properly too when they attain ripe age.
While assuring them of is administration’s continuous support and increment of the number of people that will be benefitng from this year’s “Ounje HOA” to 5000, the chairman pleaded for their support for the Renewed Hope.
He also called for support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and his re-election and those of other APC candidates.
Aroyewun emphasized that the administration of President Tinubu, through its numerous reforms, has rejuvenated local government army in Nigeria.
He also stressed that Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, Rep. Babajimi Benson and Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun, have also delivered on their representations with feasible developments in IBLCDA and lkorodu in general.
Chairman Aroyewun also pleaded for continuous support from the senior citizens, while reiterating his administration’s commitment to giving them too maximum support and honour.
He also stressed that his administration is bringing governance closer to the people in the grassroots and ensure that people fully participate in their government.
“Please, do not stop supporting us or turn your back at us. We appreciate everything you do for us and we do not take it for granted.
”For all you’re doing for us, we are grateful. And it is very important we must appreciate our senior citizens. Abroad, we see how they appreciate their senior citizens and we must do same here.
*We have seen your contributions, how you served the nation, state and local government, so, it is now our duty to serve you and we will not abandon you. It is our duty to give you quality medical care.
”If you noticed, we have been organizing medical outreach every month and I am happy with the way people are turning out which shows their appreciation.
He added: “And during my term, we have made up our minds to bring governance closer to you; the dividends of democracy will be closer to you and you can see it. Our prayer is that we should be able to do more than this so we can make you happy”.
In her remarks, Mrs Otun Anuoluwapo, HoD Agriculture, IBLCDA, commended the chairman for the initiative to honour elder citizens.
She said that her boss is committed to serving the people of IBLCDA very well.
Mrs Fayoyiwa Oluwatoyin, one of the senior citizens , lauded the chairman and stated that such initiative is unprecedented in IBLCDA.
”I am really happy today because it has been over 40 years I have been in Igbogbo and what happened today has never taken place before. I have not seen chairman of the LCDA hosting a programme to honour retirees.
”It has never happened before. It really brought joy to my heart because I did not expect it. I did not expect it to be this large. I just said I should attend since I have been invited”.
Whlle stating her confidence in the administration of Aroyewun, Mrs Fayoyiwa pledged their support to President Tinubu and other APC candidates.
” HOA is someone we trust. He was a shy person while he was young, but he was trained well and he has also disciplined himself. I believe that with what he has done today, we will come out in our numbers to vote and APC will win.
”With my children and I, we have 7 PVCs in our house. We usually go out to vote, but this to me around, we will also sensitize our neighbours and CDA to come out and perform our civic rights because this current government is doing well and may it continue like that”.
Mr Bolaji Abraham, who said that he was representing Oluwatoyin Abraham, said that he was fascinated by the chairman’s gesture.
”This gesture is fascinating. In fact, it is attracting. I am also a retiree. This programme has changed many things in me. This Chairman has the brain to put things in order”.
A chieftain of the senior citizens’ group, Mrs Bisi Bello Mustapha, also pledged support of the group to the APC.1
”When I leave here today, I will create a platform and call it Senior Citizens for APC in Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA. The chief of staff and some other personalities will be on the platform. I know the people I am going to add.
”For this election, we will bring out people to come and vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Abiru, Jimi Benson, KOH, incoming Governor and the present deputy. After that, we will vote for AMA. If you see AMA, you smile”, she said.
