Gov Eno Bags NSCC Distinguished Age-Friendly Public Service, Elder Justice Advocacy Award

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO 
In recognition of the positive impact of his administration on the well being of the elderly in the State, the Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has been honoured with a Distinguished Age-Friendly Public Service and Elder Justice Advocacy Award by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC).
The award was bestowed on Governor Eno by the Centre on Thursday, in his office at Government House, Uyo, also in recognition of his leadership style and support for the public service, in commemoration of the 2025 International and National Day of Older Persons in Nigeria. 
   Presenting the award to the governor, the director general of the Centre, Mrs. Emem Omokaro, appreciated Eno for his leadership approach which has high regards for senior citizens, noting that the NSCC, in marking the annual celebration of the International and National Day of Older Persons in Nigeria, nominated him for the NSCC Distinguished Age-Friendly Public Service and Elder Justice Advocacy award. 
Omokaro, who was accompanied by the head, Finance and Account, Mrs. Omolara Alimi; head Corporate Affairs, Media and Communications, Mr. Omini Oden; head, Entrepreneurship Development and Continuing Engagement, Mr. Awan Simon Isa, Mrs. Deborah Olaniyi, Dr. Peter Samuel, Professor Ebebe Ukpong, Princess Elfrieda Umoren and Dr. Roy Ndoma-Egba, applauded Governor Eno’s efforts in implementing various social programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable citizens of Akwa Ibom, especially older persons.
She mentioned the various programmes initiated by the governor for the benefit of the elderly to include monthly payment of N50,000 to the elderly; housing programme for the vulnerable; health insurance coverage for older persons, the recent ground breaking for the construction of ARISE Geriatric Centre and the ARISE Food Voucher Programme. 
Omokaro said as a national agency with a mandate that is both humanitarian and social development in nature, the Centre was a keen follower of these programmes of Governor Eno, and was delighted to note the governor’s unusual pursuit of inclusive and age-friendly agenda. 
Receiving the award, Eno appreciated the NSCC for the honour done him and dedicated it to the late First Lady, Pastor Patience Eno, who according to him, was the major force behind the senior citizens’ centre project and other initiatives for the elderly.
According to Eno, “What we know today as our Senior Citizens Centre was her brainchild. We never even knew that this Centre existed at the national level, or there is an act and all of that.
“Today, we are grateful that we have started something that we can seamlessly integrate to the federal level”.
He assured the director general that the State will work to domesticate the National Senior Citizens Centre Act and work with the NSCC to develop the right policies.
The governor explained that the State was taking the issues of aging very seriously considering the fact that most of the elderly people have made several contributions to the development and growth of the State as they get to the other stage which others are praying to get to.
He appreciated the director general of the Centre, Omokaro, for her commitment and passion to the affairs of senior citizens, and for considering the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for accreditation as National Training Provider for National Skills Qualification (NSQ) Certification in Geriatric Social Care, saying it would help in manpower training and certification for personnel of the State’s center.