South West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has called on the Federal and other levels of government to make adequate provisions for old people as is obtained in developed countries.
He stated that it is high time such a provision is enshrined in the constitution because everyone hopes to grow old, and when one is old, they can no longer take care of themselves.
Ajadi made this admonition while speaking on the sidelines of the final funeral ceremony of Late Mrs Oyinade Teluwo in Lagos on Friday.
Late Oyinade Teluwo is the mother of the NNPP Ogun Central Senatorial Candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Kehinde Teluwo.
According to Ajadi, “We need to give little words of advice to our government, especially Mr President. He has travelled to many advanced countries. We have also by the Grace of God being to many countries where we see how they are making adequate provisions for their elderly people.
“We need to copy that, the government needs to provide for the aged people. In a place like the United States of America and the United Kingdom, governments take care of the needs of the elderly.
“Even if you are young, you are working, and suddenly you lose your job, either through termination of appointments or inability of your workplace to continue operations, there is a system that will signal to the government that this person is not working again. The government gives priority and takes care of such person that don’t have job anymore until he secures another employment.
“For the retirees, they know that when they retire, there is a provision for them to live on.
“But in Nigeria, even those who worked as civil servants, their entitlements are delayed and pensions are not paid as at due, except few states.
“This must change. We all pray to live old and therefore our government must do something for the aged”.
Speaking on the life of Late Mrs Teluwo, Ajadi said, “Mama lived a good life. She was kind and generous. She had left a good legacy for others to copy. She was a good Christian who served the Lord till her last minute on earth”.
Also speaking, the son of the deceased and NNPP Senatorial Candidate for Ogun Central in the last general election, Mr Kehinde Teluwo urged the government to improve the living and health conditions of Nigerians so that they can live long.
According to him, “My mother died at the age of 74 years. To we the children and the family, we wished she had stayed more because of her good deeds. But how many people live up to Seventy in Nigeria?
“The life expectancy is below 60. This is due to the toxic environment, the food we eat and inadequate of affordable health facilities. Government should do something in this regard”.
Speaking on her mother, the NNPP Chieftain said, “She was everything to me. She taught me to be close to God and that through Him, I can achieve anything I desire. She was a super woman, a role model in all the communities she served”.
Also speaking about Mrs Oyinade Teluwo, the daughter -In – law, Mrs Hope Teluwo said she was a detribalised person.
“I am an Ibo Woman, and when his son introduced me to her as the person he wanted to marry, she received me with open arms. She taught us love, and I want the new generation to imbibe love in their lives and marriage”, she said.
Mrs Oyinade Teluwo’s burial was well attended by leaders and members of the NNPP in Ogun State including the state Chairman, Barrister John Aina.
