Mrs Soludo cautions elderly people against eating processed food

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By Madu Obi

The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has cautioned elderly people against eating processed canned foods which, according to her, are unhealthy.

Mrs Soludo, who spoke during the third edition of Mrs Oluremi Tinubu Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme at the Government House, Awka, also urged the elderly to endeavour to exercise their bodies everyday to maintain good health.

At the event, 250 elderly people, both men and women, who are 65 years and above, received N200,000 from Nigeria's first lady, while Mrs Soludo supported them with a bag of rice and wrapper each, in addition to transport fares for all of them.

The scheme, according to the first lady, is to support vulnerable elderly citizens in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, as well as veterans from the Defence and Police Officers' Wives Association (DEPOWA).

The sum of N1,9 billion for the scheme was approved by the governing board of the Renewed Hope Initiative and each state of the federation received the sum of N50 million.

The first lady's address delivered by Mrs Soludo read: "As we approach the festive season, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of prioritizing our elderly citizens in our initiatives.

They have walked difficult paths so that the younger generations may have smoother roads to travel. It is therefore our moral duty, and indeed our joy, to ensure that they live their twilight years in comfort, good health, and dignity.

"My advice to our senior citizens is to do all that is possible to find joy in old age. Let us also find purpose in community, compassion, and care. Let us remember that aging gracefully is not just about longevity but about being surrounded by love, support, and respect.

"I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active. Nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement. Those of us who are active should continue to engage in charitable work and, in so doing, find joy in helping others.

"Through this scheme, we have continued to express our gratitude and care for the men and women who have laboured to build the Nigeria we are all proud to be part of today.

Mrs Soludo thanked the first lady' for the wonderful initiative, noting that with the support, the elderly people have started this year's Christmas on a good note.

Emphasizing healthy living for the aged, Mrs Soludo added: "Many of these elderly people are on their own in their various communities and they need our assistance to live a normal life. Let us continue showing love to them in our various ways.

"I encourage them to do light exercises everyday so as to keep healthy. Producing and eating healthy foods can prolong their lives.

"The problem in some places is that once their children start doing well, they stop doing all the things they were used to, as their children will start bringing all kinds of junk foods for them, which often times result in health issues, including cancer."

"I knew a woman who was healthy, only to become very sick when her rich child started bringing all sorts of canned food for her and she eventually died.

"All these canned foods are just for the economic benefits of the manufacturers as most of them are poisonous."

She encouraged them to always make it a point of duty to exercise at least 30 minutes everyday, adding that going to gardens and weeding the crops is a form of exercise for them.