As Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Akwa Ibom Today
By Ekemini James
As Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu Visits Akwa Ibom Today
Today, March 7, 2026, Akwa Ibom State will host the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, on her first official visit to the State which coincides with the commemoration of International Women’s Day.
The celebration which is scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, with the theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” will bring together accomplished women leaders, policymakers and stakeholders from across the country to celebrate the strides made by women in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria.
The visit will also feature the commissioning of the ARISE Senior Citizens’ Centre, an initiative of the Wife of the Governor, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Umo Eno, inspired by the vision and compassion of the Nation’s First Lady.
Situated within the fast-developing ARISE Medical Corridor along the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene Road, the centre represents a thoughtful response to a long-standing gap in structured support for elderly citizens.
Designed for residents aged 60 and above, the facility introduces a new model of organized care where senior citizens can access healthcare, companionship, recreation and personal support within a calm and secure environment.
Developed by indigenous construction firm U & K Engineering Limited, the centre is conceived as a daytime community where elderly citizens can remain active, socially connected and physically supported.
The purpose-built facility, located within the Medical Corridor along the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene Road has a well-equipped primary healthcare unit featuring consulting rooms, male and female observation areas, a laboratory and a pharmacy, all designed to provide routine medical checks, early diagnosis and preventive healthcare for senior citizens.
But the vision of the centre goes far beyond clinical care. Within the complex are spaces created to encourage relaxation, interaction and purposeful engagement; a convenience supermarket and a library to provide a quiet atmosphere for reading and reflection.
Social engagement is also encouraged through designated recreation areas and indoor games rooms where elderly residents can interact freely, strengthening bonds and combating the loneliness that often accompanies ageing.
The centre also prioritizes physical well-being with a modern gymnasium tailored to senior citizens, while the dining area and kitchen offer a welcoming setting where they can enjoy meals in a communal environment that promotes companionship.
Also, the facility has a multi-purpose hall and a counselling rooms where emotional and personal guidance can be provided when needed.
Creativity and inter-generational knowledge transfer are also built into the design. An arts and crafts gallery within the centre offers elderly citizens the opportunity to rediscover their talents, mentor younger people and remain intellectually and economically engaged.
Outside the main complex, a serene orchard provides an open, tranquil space for relaxation and light outdoor engagement.
Taken together, the different components of the centre reflect a carefully considered approach to elderly care – one that recognizes that ageing should not signal withdrawal from society, but rather a stage of life that deserves dignity, comfort, engagement and respect.
The ARISE Senior Citizens’ Centre, which is the first of such facilities planned for the three senatorial districts of the state, therefore stands as a social investment and a moral statement that a society that honours its elderly is one that understands the true meaning of development.
The centre’s significance further underscores the human-centred philosophy of the ARISE Agenda, which places strong emphasis on inclusive development and social protection.
