Lagos — Wife of late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, who is president and founder of Asabe Shehu Yar'Adua Foundation (ASYARF), Hajiya (Dr.) Asabe Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, has expressed interest in the welfare of less privileged homes in the society, by providing necessary materials to them.

Speaking at a recent visit to the Old People's Home in Lagos, she encouraged the residents to endure any challenges they may face for the remainder of their lives, as they have made meaningful impact in the economy at an earlier age, in bringing up the young ones to become leaders in the present generation.

Hajia Yar'Adua said the old should always have abundant reasons to be proud having succeeded in creating an enabling environment that has culminated in great strides by Nigerians in different endeavours as professionals today.

She stressed that the old are not just heroes and heroines but the guiding lights of the society through their concern for posterity, culture, passionate about the future with love and kindness.

Concerning the Home, which was founded before the death of the General, she said she specialised in campaign and research on HIV/AIDS, combating sexual harassment and child abuse, poverty reduction, humanitarian services, provision of clean and sustainable water in rural area, empowerment programme and capacity building, grass-root empowerment and peaceful co-existence.

Therefore, she emphasised that being an NGO, she vowed to help provide for some of their welfare, paying visit from time to time, and also urged well-meaning individuals, NGOs and government at all levels to pay greater attention to the plight of Homes.

Yar'Adua lamented that the visit would have been on October 1, 2009 to give the senior citizens the opportunity to mark the Nigeria Independence Day celebration with the Foundation, but due to the delay in receiving the approval from Lagos State government.

During the visit, she donated three bags of rice, Indomie cartons, clothing items and cups to the Home, as part of showing interest in their welfare and making them happy.

According to the Matron of the Home, Odukoya Bukky, the Home was founded in 1928 by Royal; in 1938, the council took over and finally, in 1981, the Lagos State Government took over, by taking high percentage care of the home.

She explained that there are two categories of elders in the Home; some are brought by their family while some are being taken from the street. Odukoya lamented that government and well-meaning Nigerians are their only sources of income.