No fewer than 1,200 senior citizens in Akwa Ibom State have received ₦50,000 each under the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, a social welfare programme designed to enhance the well-being of older persons and integrate them into the state’s healthcare system.
The beneficiaries were also enrolled into the state’s health insurance scheme, ARISE during the first edition of the programme for 2026, held on Thursday at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Senior Citizens Centre.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described the initiative as a fulfilment of the administration’s promise to prioritise the welfare of vulnerable groups.
She noted that the ultra-modern centre was established to provide elderly citizens with a conducive environment for social interaction, relaxation and improved mental well-being.
According to her, the initiative reflects the vision of Governor Umo Eno, whose ARISE Agenda places strong emphasis on education and social welfare, stressing that a society is best judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.
“Today’s gathering is a physical manifestation of a promise kept. This centre is designed to ensure that our senior citizens do not live in isolation but enjoy companionship and care,” she said.
Lady Obareki further explained that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative, adding that institutionalising such interventions ensures that elderly citizens remain a priority in governance and development planning.
She described senior citizens as “reservoirs of wisdom,” urging them to take full advantage of the facility and its offerings.
Earlier in her remarks, the Coordinator of the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, Mrs Mercy Eka, disclosed that over 12,000 elderly persons have benefitted from the programme since its inception. She commended the state government for implementing a structured intervention that provides both financial assistance and access to quality healthcare.
In their goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas; Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Eno Ibanga; and Delivery Advisor on the Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Ita-anwan James, lauded the initiative, describing it as a model for elderly care in Nigeria.
They noted that Akwa Ibom has set a precedent by establishing a dedicated home for senior citizens and urged continued public support for the ARISE Agenda.
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Edikan Ekwere, sensitised beneficiaries on registration procedures and access to healthcare services under the scheme, while the facility’s Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs Theresa Okon, educated them on proper nutrition, hygiene and the importance of regular exercise for healthy ageing.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Obong Philip Obot expressed appreciation to the state government and the Office of the First Lady for the gesture, noting that ageing should be embraced with dignity and adequate support.
Highlights of the event included the symbolic presentation of cheques, donation of wheelchairs, cultural performances, and recreational activities that fostered interaction among the elderly participants.
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