Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has approved the release of over ₦344 million for the implementation of the Elderly Care Programme aimed at improving the welfare of senior citizens across the state.
The governor made this announcement on Thursday while launching the Jigawa State Old Age Social Protection Scheme at the Dutse Local Government Secretariat. He said the initiative is designed to provide monthly cash transfers, free healthcare services, and psychosocial support to promote the well-being and dignity of older persons in the state.
Namadi explained that the programme represents the completion of Jigawa’s life-cycle approach to social protection, complementing existing interventions that target pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children under five years old.
“The life-cycle framework ensures that no segment of society is left behind. It promotes dignity, equity, and access to essential services for all, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged members of our communities,” the governor stated.
Under the first phase of the scheme, each of the 287 political wards in the state will have 20 beneficiaries, totaling 5,740 elderly persons. Namadi said the Jigawa State Rehabilitation Board will oversee the cash transfer component, while the Jigawa State Contributory Health Insurance Management Agency (JICHMA) will manage the free healthcare services.
He further noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development will coordinate long-term care, including home visits, counselling, and psychosocial support to promote healthy and active ageing among beneficiaries.
This initiative is part of the government’s wider commitment to social welfare, healthcare support, and poverty reduction in Jigawa State.