CITIZENS COMPASS–Osogbo Grammar School Alumni Association (OGSAA), Osun State, has played host to some senior citizens in the State.
At an event titled, “A day with senior citizens,” the organisers spend quality time with the elders by providing free medical check ups and indoor games to their delight.
The event was held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the Mega Hall of the School.
Speaking at the event, Dr Tola Winjobi, the Coordinator of the event, said the senior citizens among the OGSAA are a crop of people who have made impact one way or the other in life.
The Coordinator who doubles as the National Vice President and Public Relations Officer of the alumni said the Elders through their fields of endeavors have contributed immensely to the peace, progress and development of Nigeria unfortunately, many are not recognized by the government or any groups despite their feats.
“Unfortunately too, some have become a lone ranger – living alone. Some are in a pitiable condition. Some do not have mates they can relate with as they have lost contact with them many years ago. For some, recreation is out of it as they don’t even know where to go to recreate.
“Sad to note, some are waiting to die as they become despondent because of the vicissitudes of life while some are aging gracefully. Loneliness kills faster; fraternizing with friends and family tends to prolong life.
He stated the purpose of the gathering this, “we are giving our own senior citizens special treat. We are recognizing them. We want them to recognize and appreciate one another too. Thus, we are organizing a once in a year forum for all the elders of Osogbo Grammar School Alumni Association tagged ONE DAY WITH SENIOR CITIZENS.”
Winjobi said the event was a maiden edition, “This is the maiden edition we are organising this year by the Grace of God. We want our senior citizens to come together to reminisce on the past, enjoy themselves and thank God for making them to be alive.
“Highlights of the event include dancing to old tunes, playing of assorted games (ludo, ayo olopon, whot, draft, chess scrabble) health check, and health talk on old age and your health.”
The Coordinator advised alumni associations to emulate the gesture, “I suggest that schools with functioning alumni associations across Nigeria should launch similar programme for their senior citizens to felicitate with one another, play games together, throw banters, wine and dine so as not to only give them a sense of belonging but to stem loneliness and prolong their lives.
“There should be a legislation by governments at all levels to ensure that gratuities of those who have served their fatherland are paid at least two months after disengagement while monthly pensions should start the following month of their retirement. Failure to deny these senior citizens their entitlements should be met with stringent sanctions according to the law. “
In conclusion, he said, the retired civil servants should not be made to undergo the rigour of going to any government secretariat for ungodly verification exercise as many of them are no longer agile while some that make it often collapse at the verification centres. Instead, pension officers should visit those elders in their various homes to capture or update the data of the latter.”
Present at the occasion were the first National President of OGSAA, Professor Michael Fisayo Ologunde, the National President, Professor Solomon Olufemi Fadiora, among others.
