‘Social Welfare Programme Must Be A Collective Responsibility’

By Sola Jacobs

Welfare of the aged,  people living with disabilities and less privileged  in the society must be the responsibility  of all,  in as much we must be brother’s keeper and responsible individuals. 

The chairman of Friends of Legacy,  Mr Ademola Ogunfidodo  said in a telephone chat with Osun Defender in Ile-Ife.

Speaking on the elderly welfare programme embarked upon by his group in the ancient city, she said, it is the group’s contribution to the society and moreso their civic duty as an individual

Mr Ogunfidodo said that the level of poverty in the nation and the dereliction of duty by the government  had plunged this vulnerable  members of society into abject poverty.

He added lack of social welfare and corruption had taken toll on people,  hence the  need for all to rise up to the challenge.

“Most of this aged have served this nation in various capacity and at different times,  some did serve  their community and families,  this is the old age in which the society they had nurtured  in one way  or the other give back to them,  but economic recession, joblessness  of their wards have turned them almost into destitutes,  there is need for social programmes for them”.

He added that the situation whereby the welfare of the people or government social politicized for the benefits of few is an aberration.

According  to him,  the members  of Friends  of Legacy in Ife,  reside both in diaspora and at home with common goal of giving back to their homeland and development  of the ancient city which transcend political party  affiliation.

On the level of development  of Ifeland, he carpeted the low development  in the ancient  city,  as he  said that if not for the personal effort of the Supreme Monarch of Ife ,Ooni Ogunwusi,  we have not had a fair share from the  government.

“The Friends of legacy had been distributing food, clothing and drugs items to aged and individual as required through  collective contribution of the members, going through heads of different  compounds in the city,  to be assured  that the right people benefits from the good gesture of the association.

He also lauded the personal effort of Ooni Ogunwusi for bringing back street light to Okerewe axis and Moore area, not only for safety of the people but as well for aesthetic purpose in those areas.

He then called on individuals  and groups in Ile-Ife  to contribute  their quota to the well-being of the people,  as she urged politicians in the land to use their good offices for the development of their respective communities.