Stakeholders advocates for rights, privileges of older persons in Nigeria

Stakehoders advocates for rights, priviledges of older persons in Nigeria

By Chinenye Offor
Rights
Abuja, Nov. 5, 2018 (NAN) Dr Emem Omokaro, the Convener of Stakeholders Group (SGA), 1st Africa Conference on Ageing, has called on the Federal Government to improve the rights and pribiledges of older persons in the country.

Omakaro, who is also the Chairperson of SGA Africa International Conference Planning Committee, made the appeal at the opening of the maiden edition of SGA on Monday in Abuja.

According to her, older persons are increasing in the midst of a huge youth population and there is need for focus on the demographic divedend, engaging on the transformative narratives that present ageing population.

She noted that inorder to change the trends of elder abuse, discrimination, the system must make room for older persons in terms of ageing inclusion, long term care, life course approach and healthy ageing programs.

Mrs Maryam Uwais, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment, said that the Federal Government was committed to uplifting the economic and social standing of the poorest and vulnerable older persons in the country.

Represented by Mrs Linda Ekeator, Manager, Legal, Ageing Focal Person of NSIO said that the federal government at various levels was obliged to protect and promote the interest of older persons in accordance with the constitutional mandate on the interest of all without discrimination.

Uwais added that Nigeria subscribed to various regional and international instruments aimed at promoting and fulfilling the interest and rights of older persons including the Africa Agenda 2063 and 2030 global agenda for sustainable development.

She said the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has introduced a monthly stipend for older persons and resolved to protect them by enacting the National Senior Citizens Act 2017.

“It is truely wellcone to have an African Regional Conference on Ageing as it focuses on improving the understanding of peculiar national and common challenges of older persons

“It is also an avenue for opportunities relating to ageing on the continent for the purpose of seeking innovative solutions for the inclusion of older persons in the development efforts within various African countries.

“The Federal Government also decided that 15 per cent of the beneficiaries who have been identified as older persons would not be weaned off but rather remain on the consolidated register in order to continue recieving stipends for the rest of their lives as long as the implementation continues,” she said. (NAN)
CSO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola Nigeria, SGA,