Dr. Dakuku Peterside, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State has called for better care and support for the aged. He made the call at Home for the Elderly, a facility for senior citizens in Port Harcourt.
The APC candidate who was received by the matron of the home, Reverend Sister Jane Raphael thanked the management and staff of the home for caring for the elderly.
Peterside described old age as a natural phenomenon, adding that for as long as the earth remains, there will continue to have old people. Old age, he argued further, is not a curse. Therefore the elderly must be loved and cared for by anybody who is still physically and mentally alert.
“I am here to thank all of you for the care you are giving to our senior citizens on behalf of all of us. We owe the aged the responsibility of good care. We must also ensure that nobody visits them with violence or anything that is capable of unsettling them.
“I must say that I am impressed with the quality of care here, it shows that you are all passionate about your work. We want to thank you and to encourage you. We also wish to use this medium to inform you that we are ready to partner with you. If Rivers people give us the opportunity to serve you, we will do more to ensure that the elderly are more comfortable.
‘Once again, as you care for our fathers and our mothers, making sure they age with dignity, may God bless you. I know that heaven will also care for you.”
In her speech, Rev. Sister Raphael described Peterside as a compassionate and God-fearing person who is known for always celebrating with the less privileged.
“When I saw your photograph, I concluded that God has already chosen you because we are always pray to have God-fearing people. We promise you our daily prayers and may God bless and reward you. May He also bless everybody supporting you and may your efforts be crowned with success. And by Easter, I hope to see you again.
Peterside who had earlier interacted with the inmates later gave them Christmas presents.
