The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) Mandate Elders’ Forum in Ondo State has once again thrown its weight behind the president’s re-election, describing his leadership style and reform policies as bold, timely and critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s future.

The endorsement coincided with the launch of an expanded healthcare intervention programme by the forum, aimed at improving the wellbeing of elderly party leaders and stakeholders in the state through structured medical screening and support services.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of the forum, the facilitator, Honourable Demola Ijabiyi, said the initiative reflects a deliberate policy direction that places the welfare of elders at the centre of political mobilisation and sustainable nation-building.

According to him, the forum, which comprises respected elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ondo State political leaders across party lines, meets monthly to advance both political engagement and social responsibility.

Ijabiyi explained that the group recently integrated structured healthcare services into its activities after identifying critical health challenges among elderly members.

He noted that the programme also featured a medical lecture delivered by a consultant geriatric specialist on cognitive decline, aimed at helping elders understand memory loss as a natural part of ageing and how to manage it early.

He said: “Last month, we conducted blood sugar and blood pressure tests. Today, we have gone further to conduct prostate screening through blood sample analysis, because prostate enlargement is one of the major health challenges affecting elderly men.

“This is preventive governance at the micro level. Those with high blood pressure and high blood sugar have been identified and given medication, while serious cases will be followed up with further tests and treatment.”

Linking the health initiative to national leadership, Ijabiyi described President Tinubu as a leader with the courage to take tough decisions in the overall interest of Nigeria.

“To arrest a national decline, you must be willing to rock the boat. Tinubu has demonstrated uncommon boldness by implementing reforms that others avoided because of political risk.

Those decisions are painful, just like injections or blood tests, but they are necessary to save the system,” he said.

The guest lecturer at the event and Consultant Geriatrician from the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Dr Joy Eloho-Orji, who spoke on ageing and cognitive health, explainer that gradual memory loss, reduced attention span and impaired judgment in some elders are often linked to age-related cognitive decline.

“Ageing comes with challenges, but many of them can be managed. Adequate water intake, regular medical check-ups and quality sleep are essential to maintaining good cognitive and physical health,” she said.

In his remarks, the Secretary of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, Chief Ebenezer Alabi, emphasised the importance of party consolidation ahead of future electoral contests.

“Beyond today’s programme, we must strengthen our party from the grassroots. The ongoing APC e-registration exercise is key, and we urge all elders and party faithful to register and update their details. A strong party structure guarantees victory,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)