In the bustling heart of Lagos, a powerful act of compassion unfolded as the Touch of Love and Lifting Hands Foundation concluded its 8th annual humanitarian week by providing meals and Christmas gifts to 500 elderly citizens and vulnerable persons. This event, however, was far more than a seasonal handout; it represented the culmination of a comprehensive, week-long intervention designed to address the multifaceted needs of society’s most at-risk groups.
Beyond the Meal: A Week of Holistic Empowerment
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the foundation’s programme was strategically structured to offer more than temporary relief. It featured:
Spiritual & Emotional Upliftment: Sessions of praise and fellowship to combat loneliness and foster community.
Preventive Healthcare: Health talks and free medical screenings—a critical service for the elderly who often face barriers to accessing routine check-ups.
Sustainable Support: Capacity-building training for widows, equipping them with skills for long-term self-sufficiency rather than perpetual dependence.
This layered approach underscores a modern understanding of humanitarian aid: immediate crisis relief must be coupled with initiatives that foster dignity and long-term resilience.
The Philosophy of Dignity-Driven Aid
Founder Dr. Atinuke Owolabi articulated this vision clearly. “Our activities are not just about meeting needs,” she stated. “They are about restoring dignity, joy and hope, and reminding our beneficiaries that they are valued and not forgotten.” This philosophy transforms charity from a transactional act into a relational one, acknowledging the person behind the need. Dr. Owolabi emphasized that the initiative was “driven by love and compassion,” designed to “restore dignity, joy and a sense of belonging.”
Investing in Continued Well-being
The foundation’s commitment extended beyond the event’s final day. In a significant move, Dr. Owolabi announced that winners of games during the celebration would receive free one-year health insurance enrolment. This bridges a crucial gap, ensuring that the health momentum from the free screenings isn’t lost. Furthermore, 20 empowerment enrolment forms were issued to active widows for registration at the Women Development Centre in Agege, creating a direct pathway from charity to sustainable livelihood.
Honouring a Legacy, Building a Future
Addressing the elderly, Dr. Owolabi framed their care as a societal imperative: “Your lives, sacrifices, wisdom and resilience have laid the foundation for our society… A society that honours its elderly strengthens its future.” This statement connects cultural respect with pragmatic community building, arguing that care for the vulnerable is an investment in social stability and moral integrity.
Structured Platforms for Broader Impact
Dr. Owolabi, who also serves as the South-West Representative on the Board of the North Central Development Commission, highlighted the structured platforms enabling this work. She leads the “Tinubu Cares Initiative,” a program focused on welfare assistance, health interventions, skills development, and economic reintegration for target groups. She explained that the initiative “reflects the belief that leadership compassion should inspire responsible citizen action and meaningful community impact.” Leveraging her appointment, she pledged to extend the foundation’s humanitarian model to South-West communities across the North-Central region, demonstrating how public position and private passion can align for greater scale.
This event in Lagos serves as a potent case study in effective community intervention. It moves from the simple headline of “feeding 500” to reveal a blueprint for holistic care: combining immediate relief with health access, emotional support, skills training, and long-term empowerment—all delivered with a core mission of restoring human dignity.
By Grace Alegba
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
