•Governor Umo Eno
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno has been capped with Distinguished Age-Friendly Public Service and Elder Justice Advocacy Award.
The award was presented by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) in recognition of his leadership style, support for the public service and positive impact on the well-being of old persons in the state.
Receiving the award in his office in Uyo, the governor appreciated NSCC for the award and dedicated it to the late First Lady, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Eno, who he said was the major force behind the senior citizens’ centre project and other initiatives for the elderly.
He said the state will work to domesticate the National Senior Citizens Centre Act and work with the NSCC to develop the right policies.
“I want to thank you and the Centre for the award you have given to us. For me, to be honest, I dedicate the award to the memory of my departed wife.
“What we know today as our Senior Citizens Centre was her brainchild. We never even knew that this Centre existed at the national level, or there is an act and all of that.
“Today, we are grateful that we have started something that we can seamlessly integrate to the federal level.
“In Akwa Ibom, we are taking the issue of aging very seriously considering the fact that most of these people have made several contributions to the development and growth of our state as they get to the other stage which we are all praying to get to.”
He appreciated the DG of the Centre, Emem Omokaro, for her commitment and passion to the affairs of senior citizens, and for considering the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for accreditation as National Training Provider for National Skills Qualification (NSQ) Certification in Geriatric Social Care, saying it would help in manpower training and certification for personnel of the state’s center.
Earlier, Omokaro appreciated the governor for his leadership approach which has high regards for senior citizens, saying “to mark the annual celebration of the International and National Day of Older Persons in Nigeria, the NSCC nominated His Excellency for the NSCC Distinguished Age-Friendly Public Service and Elder Justice Advocacy Award.
“I commend your Excellency’s efforts in implementing various social programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable citizens of Akwa Ibom State, especially older persons.
“These include, periodic transfer of N50,000 in cash; the Housing programme for the vulnerable; health insurance coverage for older persons, the recent ground breaking for the construction of A.R.I.S.E Geriatric Centre and the A.R.I.S.E Food Voucher Programme.
“As a National Agency with a mandate that is both humanitarian and social development in nature, we are keen followers of these programmes, and are delighted to note your Excellency’s unusual pursuit of inclusive and age-friendly agenda,” she said.
Other members of the team included; Mrs Omolara Alimi – Head, Finance and Account; Mr Omini Oden – Head Corporate Affairs, Media and Communications, Mr Awan Simon Isa – Head, Entrepreneurship Development and Continuing Engagement, Mrs Deborah Olaniyi, Dr Peter Samuel, Prof Ebebe Ukpong, Princess Elfrieda Umoren and Dr. Roy Ndoma-Egba.
