By Philip Yatai
Abuja, Dec. 16, 2025 (NAN) – Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has reaffirmed that the well-being and dignity of senior citizens are foundational priorities for the FCT Administration. This commitment, she stated, is a moral imperative and a reflection of societal values.
The minister delivered this message at the third edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Social Investment Programme for the Elderly Support Scheme in Abuja on Tuesday. The event, which provided direct aid to beneficiaries, served as a platform to articulate a broader policy vision for aging with dignity in the nation’s capital.
Mahmoud outlined a multi-faceted approach being championed through the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat. This strategy extends beyond periodic aid to encompass sustained pillars of support:
- Social Protection: Implementing structured programmes to safeguard the elderly from poverty and economic shock.
- Healthcare Access: Ensuring age-friendly medical services and support for managing chronic conditions prevalent in later years.
- Emotional Support & Social Inclusion: Actively combating the isolation and loneliness that often accompany old age by fostering community connections and intergenerational dialogue.
She commended the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for spearheading the Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that such efforts are crucial in sending a clear societal message: “Our elders must feel valued, protected, and actively supported by the community they helped build.”
Elaborating on the event’s theme, “Finding Joy in Old Age,” Mahmoud reframed the narrative around aging. “Old age should be a season of dignity, fulfilment, and peace, not one characterized by neglect or hardship,” she asserted. She emphasized that the intervention is an act of gratitude, encouraging families, communities, and institutions to create environments where the dignity of the elderly is paramount, ensuring truly that no one is left behind.
“Those who laboured to lay the foundations of our society in their youth deserve care, respect, and security in their later years,” the minister stated, hailing the Renewed Hope Initiative for its holistic support to various vulnerable groups.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, provided profound cultural context. She described the elderly as “the custodians of our culture, wisdom, and collective memory,” whose value cannot be quantified.
“This programme’s purpose is broader than material support,” Benjamins-Laniyi explained. “It is also about validation and affirmation—ensuring our elders are not only acknowledged but are seen, celebrated, valued, and respected within the fabric of our daily lives.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tangible aspect of the programme saw elderly beneficiaries in the FCT receive direct support including N200,000 cash grants, rice, spaghetti, and other essential food items.
This event underscores a growing policy recognition that senior citizen welfare requires a blend of immediate palliative measures, long-term social infrastructure, and a fundamental shift in societal attitudes to honor a lifetime of contribution.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FDY/AMM
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru
