By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun would commission a N600 million project for aged and destitudes persons built by a Non Governmental Organisation , Gloryland Trust International Limited .

Addressing newsmen at the project site, named “Gloryland Seniors Community”, in Abeokuta, the Chairperson of the NGO, Ms. Abimbola Johnson said the project comprising 16 units of two-bedroom flat would provide accommodation and take care of the aged in the State.

She however, lamented that most elderly persons have been abandoned ,calling on the Federal, state and local governments to formulate a policy structured to care for the elderly persons in Nigeria with reference to prompt payment of pensions, amongst other benefits being denied them.

The NGO boss explained that she embarked on the project with her group seven years ago after personally witnessing an elderly person being a victim of mob violence.

According to her, the building which would be commissioned by the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun next Tuesday is the first phase of the two phases to be built by the NGO in the State.

Her words: “Glory Seniors Community is a dream envisioned by Gloryland members to contribute our quota in ensuring adequate care to our senior citizens at old age who have in their various capacity and at their early days served this nation faithfully and diligently either in the public sector or through their private vocations”.

“Our commitment is to uplift the standard of living by providing the enabling environment for our elderly and senior citizens in a way that they can live through the last days in happiness”.

The next phase of the project, according to her would comprise a large accommodation, recreational, health, shopping and lifestyle enhancement centre after completion.

She therefore appealed to eminent Nigerians to “partner with us by endowing structures that can add value to our vision”, saying “Such structures when completed can be named after their organisations or their nominated individuals. This should make old age worth enjoying for our elderly parents”.