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 wellbeing of older persons and integrate them into the state’s healthcare system.
The beneficiaries were also enrolled into the state’s health insurance scheme, ARISECare, during the first edition of the programme for 2026, held at the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Senior Citizens Centre in Uyo.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, described the intervention as a fulfillment of government’s promise to prioritise vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly.
She noted that the facility was purposefully built to provide a space for companionship and social interaction among senior citizens, stressing that ageing should not be experienced in isolation.
According to her, the initiative reflects the commitment of Governor Umo Eno to social welfare under the ARISE Agenda, which places strong emphasis on education and the wellbeing of citizens.
Lady Obareki further explained that the programme aligns with broader national social investment efforts, ensuring that elderly citizens remain an integral part of the state’s development framework.
Describing the elderly as “reservoirs of wisdom,” she encouraged them to take full advantage of the centre’s facilities for relaxation, interaction and improved health.
In her remarks, the Coordinator of the ARISE Initiative for the Elderly, Mrs Mercy Eka, revealed that over 12,000 elderly persons have so far benefited from the scheme, describing it as a structured intervention that provides both financial support and access to quality healthcare.
She commended the state government for institutionalising the programme, noting that it guarantees sustainability and continuous support for senior citizens.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Inibehe Silas, alongside the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Princess Emem Ibanga, lauded the initiative as a comprehensive approach to elderly care, adding that Akwa Ibom has taken the lead nationally with the establishment of a dedicated Senior Citizens Centre.
They urged residents to support the ARISE Agenda, emphasising the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for older persons.
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Edikan Ekwere, used the opportunity to educate beneficiaries on how to register and access healthcare services under the scheme, while the Chief Nursing Officer of the centre, Mrs Theresa Okon, highlighted the importance of proper nutrition, hygiene and regular exercise in healthy ageing.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Obong Philip Obot expressed gratitude to the state government for recognising and supporting the elderly, noting that ageing should be embraced as a natural stage of life deserving care and respect.
The event featured the symbolic presentation of cheques, donation of wheelchairs, cultural performances, and recreational activities, underscoring the government’s holistic approach to elderly welfare.
