From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David Parish in Abuja, has extended humanitarian support to elderly residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), offering food items, free medical treatment, and psychosocial care in a recent outreach programme.
The initiative, held in collaboration with the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), forms part of the church’s broader mission to support vulnerable groups, including military barracks and underserved communities.
The parish pastor, Gbolade Okenla, explained that the outreach aligns with the vision of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to serve all sectors of society through practical expressions of compassion.
“We believe in touching lives, and today’s outreach is a demonstration of our faith in action. We also call on other well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in supporting the elderly and other vulnerable groups. Together, we can do more,” Pastor Okenla said.
A consultant geriatrician and co-chair of the FCT Stakeholder Forum of the NSCC, Dr. Oguguo Osi-Ogbu, praised the outreach, urging all 36 states of the federation to domesticate the National Policy on Ageing. She emphasised that the policy would guide the establishment of programmes tailored to the health, social, and employment needs of older adults aged 60 and above.
“States must follow the federal government’s example, which enacted the National Senior Citizens Act in 2017. We need healthcare workers at all levels, primary, secondary, and tertiary, trained to manage chronic conditions prevalent among the elderly,” Dr. Osi-Ogbu said.
The church’s medical coordinator, Dr. Theophilus Ado, disclosed that the team handled common age-related health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders.
In addition to medical care, participants also engaged in light physical exercises.
Dr. Abiodun Feyikemi Gbadeola explained that the activities were designed to improve physical mobility and wellness among the elderly.
The outreach was widely praised by participants, with many expressing gratitude for the rare opportunity to receive holistic support.
The RCCG City of David parish reiterated its commitment to continuing such community impact programmes across the FCT and beyond.