The Cash for Elders Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has announced plans to build an old people’s home in Opobo, Rivers, to care for vulnerable elders in the community.
Amb. Jake Epelle, the Founder of the foundation, made this known while speaking with newsmen during the Opobo International Charity Day 2025, in Opobo Town, on Thursday.
Epelle said that the vulnerable would be cared for by the home, and medical services, food and care given to them.
‘’We will give them care to make them not to have the trauma of not being looked after,” he said.
Epelle, who is also the Chairman of the foundation’s board, said the aim of the foundation was to reach out to the most vulnerable elderly.
He said that the foundation targeted 250 elders for the charity day but had to group them into two to avoid stampede.
He disclosed that the foundation had earlier visited about 100 households, presenting N20,000 cash to each vulnerable elder in the households.
‘’Through my personal efforts and the efforts of my friends, I was able to raise N4.75 million.
‘’In my usual manner, anyone who is watching me, after five days from today, can go to our website and see how we disbursed the money, ’’ he said.
According to him, it is a thing of joy to assist elderly people.
Epelle thanked his mass media partners for supporting the cause.
He said that the foundation would also organise similar ooutreaches in Ondo, Kwara, and Elele Alimini in Rivers, in 2025.
Mr Jaja Evans-Sokari, the Coordinator of Opobo International Charity, said that it was delightful to put smiles on the faces of the elderly.
He said that elderly people needed support, regretting that some of them were lonely.
Evan’s-Sokari added that the foundation placed some vulnerable elderly on monthly stipends and employed caregivers for them.
Miss Praise Epelle, one of the organisers of the event, said it was important for young people to support the elderly so that they would be supported in their old age.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Emmanuel Brown, said that he was happy to receive the money, and commended the foundation for the gesture. (NAN)
