The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies-Dimpka (left), and the Rivers State President, Senior Citizens Forum, Barr. Georgiana Tenelo presenting their membership form to the former.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies-Dimkpa, has reaffirmed the Rivers State Government’s commitment to enhancing the welfare of senior citizens across the state. She gave the assurance while receiving members of the Rivers State Senior Citizens Forum, a non-governmental organization comprising retired civil servants and citizens aged 60 and above. The delegation was led by the Forum’s President, Barr. Georgiana Tenalo. Davies-Dimkpa emphasized the importance of social interaction and community engagement in improving the wellbeing of the elderly, noting that belonging to such a group helps members stay connected, active, and healthier even after retirement. “As the Bible and medical science affirm, laughter is good medicine, good for the soul, heart, and body. You have been laughing since arriving, and you can’t do it alone. This forum is a blessing, and we shouldn’t take it for granted”, she said. The Permanent Secretary also promised to forward the Forum’s requests tothe State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, who she described as a “citizen-loving governor.” While expressing confidence in the Governor’s support for their initiatives, she offered to facilitate the registration of the group’s NGO with the Ministry to strengthen collaboration and open doors for future partnerships. In her remarks, the Director of Social Welfare, Funmilayo Adegbola, recommended the establishment of a day-care-style centre for the elderly rather than a traditional Elderly Home, stressing the value of maintaining a family-oriented environment for senior citizens. Similarly, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Omubo Harry, called for the creation of a dedicated desk officer within the ministry to oversee issues affecting the elderly and ensure prompt attention to their concerns. Earlier, the Forum’s President, Barr. Georgiana Tenalo, a former Commissioner in the Dr. Peter Odili Administration, expressed gratitude to the Permanent Secretary for the warm reception and reiterated the Forum’s commitment to partnering with the Ministry to promote senior citizens’ welfare in the state. She shared that her personal experience caring for her late mother, who passed in 2013, inspired her to establish a community that supports the elderly. Noting the challenges many senior citizens face, she advocated greater government involvement in their wellbeing. Tenalo also listed key milestones achieved by the Forum, which, she said, include the signing of the Senior Citizens’ Rights Act by former President Muhammadu Buhari and the establishment of the Senior Citizens Care Initiative, an NGO dedicated to advancing the welfare of the elderly. She appealed for government support, including office space, medical upkeep, inclusion in state programmes, appointments, and seasonal incentives such as Christmas bonuses. She also requested soft loans, opportunities for retired civil servants, training and certification for domestic workers, and inclusion in religious pilgrimages. The visit was marked by laughter and camaraderie as the Permanent Secretary was presented with an honorary membership form, which she gladly accepted, and expressed delight at joining the Forum earlier than many of her peers.