By Mfon Jacott.
The Akwa Ibom State Directorate on Diaspora Matters has commended the administration of Umo Eno for advancing people-focused governance following the official commissioning of the ultra-modern ARISE Senior Citizens Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The facility was formally inaugurated during the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose presence underscored the growing national attention on elderly welfare and social inclusion.
Reacting to the development, the Director of the Akwa Ibom State Directorate on Diaspora Matters, Linda Akon Umoh, described the project as a milestone achievement that reflects the governor’s compassionate leadership and strengthens confidence among Akwa Ibom indigenes living abroad.
According to her, the commissioning of the centre during the First Lady’s official visit represents a powerful message that the welfare of senior citizens remains a priority both at the national and state levels.
“For Akwa Ibom people in the diaspora, initiatives like this reinforce our confidence in the direction of governance back home,” Hon. Umoh stated.
“Governor Umo Eno’s leadership continues to close the trust gap between the diaspora community and the state by demonstrating that governance can truly be compassionate and inclusive.”
National Vision Meets State Innovation
The visit of the First Lady aligns with the national elderly support framework championed under the Renewed Hope Initiative, a social intervention platform designed to improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens across Nigeria and supported by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
During the commissioning ceremony, Senator Tinubu praised the Akwa Ibom State Government for translating policy into practical action through the development of a dedicated facility for senior citizens.
The ARISE Senior Citizens Centre complements the state’s existing ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, through which more than 600 senior citizens receive monthly support. Since its inception, the programme has reached over 15,000 residents aged sixty and above across the state.
A Landmark Facility for Elderly Welfare
Strategically located along the Uyo–Ikot Ekpene Road Medical Corridor, the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre represents one of the most comprehensive elderly care facilities in the country.
The centre, inspired by the vision of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Patience Umo Eno, was thoughtfully designed to promote health, social engagement, and emotional well-being among senior citizens.
Key facilities include:
– A Primary Health Care Clinic
– Laboratory and Pharmacy
– Recreational lounge and games room
– Library and reading areas
– Gymnasium and wellness facilities
– Mini mart and dining area
– Orchard and outdoor relaxation spaces
– Chapel and counselling unit
Healthcare professionals will provide round-the-clock services, ensuring that elderly citizens have access to consistent medical attention and supportive care.
The Uyo centre is the first of three planned facilities designed to serve the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State.
Strengthening Diaspora Confidence
Hon. Umoh noted that initiatives like the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre are particularly meaningful to the diaspora community, many of whom remain deeply connected to the welfare of families and communities back home.
She emphasized that people-centred policies—such as free medical care for citizens aged 60 and above, improved pension administration, and the ongoing settlement of pension and gratuity arrears—are strengthening diaspora trust in governance.
The state government has already reduced inherited pension and gratuity arrears of over ₦111 billion by approximately ₦80 billion, with a commitment to clearing the remaining obligations.
“Caring for our senior citizens reflects the values of compassion and respect that define Akwa Ibom people,” Hon. Umoh said.
“This centre demonstrates that the ARISE Agenda is not only about economic development but about preserving dignity and honouring those who contributed to building our society.”
A Model for the Nation
Observers say the ARISE Senior Citizens Centre aligns with Nigeria’s National Policy on Ageing for Older Persons and global frameworks promoting independence, dignity, and active participation for elderly citizens.
For many residents and members of the diaspora, the commissioning of the centre by the First Lady marks a defining moment—one that signals a new era of structured care, social inclusion, and renewed respect for older generations in Akwa Ibom State.
As the doors of the facility open to welcome its first beneficiaries, many believe the initiative could serve as a model for elderly care across Nigeria—ensuring that the labours of past generations are rewarded with dignity, comfort, and community.
