Senior Citizens to Enjoy Befitting Ageing not Befitting Burial, to have ID cards-FG

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Royalgold
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December 19th, 2021, 12:42 pm

Bilkisu Adejoh, Abuja


President Muhammadu
Buhari has reaffirmed commitment to provide and enhance mechanisms that will effectively cater for the different needs of senior citizens in the country as 5th October now a National Day for the celebration of Senior Citizens in Nigeria.


The President represented at the event by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbeshola, made the commitment, while delivering a keynote address at the 1st Presidential Summit on Ageing and Awards held on Friday 17th December 2021 in Abuja.



The summit held in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development,
with the theme: “Building Inter-generational Synergies for Inclusive, Cohesive and Sustainable Communities”, was organised by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC).




The President announced Oct. 5, as the National Senior Citizens Day, because the UN Day for it coincided with the nation’s independence day on Oct. 1.


Buhari said, older persons, who had toiled in raising their children and served as an umbilical cord to connect the founding fathers were mostly neglected and abused in the society but today it's a changed story as "an identity card will be provided for senior citizens for age-friendly services."


“In bringing about the paradigm shift in this regard, I signed into law the NSCC Act 2017 to cater for Senior Citizens.

“It is the first distinct National corporate body with a clear define focus on inclusion of Senior Citizens in sustainable development in the history of Nigeria.


” My administration has approved National Policy on Ageing in 2020 to address special needs and harness opportunities in the increasing numbers of older persons in the country.

“The Federal Government is committed to effectively mobilise human and capital resources needed to develop the appropriate mechanism that will be geared towards promoting, providing, and ensuring access to basic social services of older persons,” Buhari said.

According to him, in line with the 2025 Economic Growth Development Plan, the establishment of NSCC in June 2021, and the appointment of the Board members and Director-General, is a testimony to the Federal Government’s commitment to cater for senior citizens.

“I, therefore, encourage every tier of government, traditional and religious institutions, private sector and all Nigerians to be partners in supporting the NSCC in catering for the aging and older persons in the nation”.

The Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq appreciated her colleagues, who supported her when she presented memos requesting the establishment of the NSCC and others to the Federal Executive Council.

The minister said that the summit was in recognition of Senior Citizens in Nigeria, adding that "aging is a natural process that everyone must undergo in life.”

She said it was gratifying to know that the President had taken the front row as one of the few in Africa to establish the entity and institutional capacity to address issues regarding aging and older persons.

”We thank you Mr. President for your consideration and impacting positively on the poor and vulnerable in our society.

“The signing of Disability Act 2018, the NSCC Act 2017 and the establishment of the Ministry to coordinate them, and provide social protection is a clear indication of a president who has the poor and vulnerable at heart.

”For these, Mr. President will leave a legacy and write his name in gold in the hearts of the people he has touched,” Farouq said.



Meanwhile, the Director-General of NSCC, Dr. Emem Omokaro said the summit was not just to celebrate Senior Citizens in Nigeria, also to honour their past, continuous contribution and to recognise, acknowledge them in their diversity as a positive force for development.

“The integration of older persons in development is no longer adhoc and can not be pushed aside in Nigeria.

” I thank President Buhari for his unprecedented political will for the care of senior citizens and older persons in the country. He has done so well.”



Also, the NSCC Act 2017 and National Policy on Ageing 2022 was unveiled by Farouq to the admiration of all.


Reacting to the awards, one of the recipients, Prof. Julius Okojie thanked the centre for the awards and urged senior citizens to form the culture of networking within themselves and related organisations.


The event attracted senior citizens from all over the country, corps members, government officials, development partners, and relevant stakeholders.

High points of the event was the Distinct Award to the President, who clocked 79 years of age, others are; Elder Nathaniel Okoro, Prof. Julius Okojie, Dr. Halima Yalwa Adamu, and Salome Yuyu Sambo, Mahamuda Abubakar, Chief Richard Idowu, Alhaji Haliru Bunza, and Hajiya Saudatu Bungudu.
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