L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Commissioner for Labour , Productivity and Human Capital Development, Mr. Wole Adewunmi; Caretaker Chairman, Ekiti East Local Government, Mr. Rotimi Ajidara, while presenting a cheque to one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Joke Adedeji, during the Flag-off of the second bactch of the State’s Social Security Scheme for Elderly Citizens in Omuo.... on Thursday.
No fewer than Nine thousand, One hundred and Eighty Six (9,186) elderly citizens in Ekiti State have joined the rank of the beneficiaries of the Social Security Scheme of the Ekiti State Government.
The new beneficiaries on Thursday started collecting the N5,000 (Five thousand Naira) monthly stipend which the state government monthly pays existing 10,084 citizens aged sixty-five years and above.
Speaking on Thursday at the flag-off of payment for the Batch B beneficiaries of the scheme at Ekiti East Local Government area of the State, the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the scheme which was employed by his administration to address adult poverty challenges was already hitting at the target as more elderly citizens who had once thought the programme was a mirage are now subscribing.
“I am happy to note that since the inauguration of the Scheme in October 2011, the accruing benefits have been providing succour to a total of 10,084 indigent elders who have been receiving monthly stipend of N5,000 each. Today, a new set of 9,186 senior citizens is being injected into the scheme bringing the total beneficiaries to date to a little less than 20,000.
This novel approach which has been applauded across political, ethnic, social and economic divide is a tool being employed by this administration to battle poverty challenges,” he said.
Dr. Fayemi said the scheme was conceived to improve the living condition of the senior citizens and serve as a poverty reduction strategy in favour of the deserving poor through the provision of regular income and free health care; adding that this was a fulfillment of his electioneering campaigns.
The Governor said the emergence of the second batch of the beneficiaries became necessary so as to capture as many qualified elderly citizens as possible who did not participate in the first enumeration exercise partly due to skepticism arising from the weariness of failed promises by politicians.
“Being a major public issue, the implementing Ministry was directed to conduct another enumeration of the elderly citizens in February 2012. The exercise brought out over 34,000 elderly citizens from whom another batch of Nine thousand, One hundred and Eighty-six thousand beneficiaries have been selected. This to me, is another evidence of a promise kept”, he said.
On how the State Government has coped despite its meagre resources, Fayemi said the scheme was not conceived because Government has abundant resources but due to “the will to positively affect the lives of the toiling masses for whom this government is in authority”; saying that the administration was always propelled by the need to make life meaningful and comfortable for the elderly.
While stressing that the scheme would now cost Government a sum of One hundred Million Naira monthly, the Governor said elderly citizens should rest assured of continued care and support from government, even as he said that the Scheme now has a strong legal backing so that it can outlive the present administration.
Fayemi who hinted that the programme was dear to him charged all Council Assistants to the Governor to be alive to their responsibilities so that the programme could run more effectively and efficiently; adding that “all hands must be on deck for the smooth implementation of the scheme to ensure its holistic success as any deviation would be sanctioned.”
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Human Capital Development, Mr. Wole Adewumi said the scheme was not aimed at undermining the ultimate responsibility of families to care for their aged ones but should see it as a reward for the past contributions of the deserving elderly citizens.
Adewumi added that people would foster social solidarity through a regained sense of citizenship that will enable them contribute to the society and enhance citizens-government relations, even as government is acknowledging its own roles and moral commitment to the welfare of citizens regardless of party affiliation.
Thanking the Governor for the stipend, one of the existing beneficiaries, Madam Abigael Oyedele who collected her May stipend commended the Fayemi-led administration for remembering the elderly citizens and confirm prompt receipt of her stipend.
Madam Oyedele prayed for the success of the Fayemi-led administration.
Last modified: May 25, 2012
