FG pledges to maximise the benefits of an ageing population

The nation’s federal government has pledged to take advantage of the elderly population’s potential.

The commitment was made on Tuesday by Dr. Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, during a speech she gave at a ceremony held at the UN House in Abuja to commemorate International Day of Older Persons.

Edu praised the establishment of the NSCC by the NSCC Act 2017 to promote mainstreaming of older persons in the delivery of positive outcomes for the elderly. Edu was speaking at an event with the theme “Fulfilling the promise of the universal declaration of human rights for older persons across generations,” which was organised by the UN and the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC).

She claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to relocate the Ministry showed the political commitment of the administration to creating the necessary framework and achieving the desired outcomes.

The NSCC, in conjunction with the numerous Ministries, Departments, and Agencies through multi-sectoral coordination, “remains the veritable agency to consolidate opportunities for the older population,” she stated.

“The current administration will ensure enough assistance and persuade the state governments to domesticate the National Health Authority Act, the NSCC Act, the VAPP Act, and the Persons with Disabilities Act.

The current administration will put special emphasis on making the most of an ageing population, fighting ageism and harmful stereotypes, and filling in data gaps and discrepancies.

She continued by saying that the government would put an emphasis on research, the development of human capital, and the continuation of efforts to construct systems that can support older people, including age-friendly surroundings, universal health coverage, and long-term care systems.

Mr. Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, assured Nigeria of the UN’s support for the promotion and protection of senior citizens’ rights.

According to Schmale, the occasion was planned to offer a chance for reflection on the influence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the defence of older people’s rights.

He stated: “I sincerely hope that today’s discussion would enable reflections on effective promotion and protection of senior citizens in Nigeria, focusing on their contributions throughout their lives and the wisdom and experience they can impart to younger generations.

“As we commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ 75th anniversary, the UN in Nigeria is dedicated to assisting Nigeria in its efforts to strengthen the promotion and protection of older people’s rights.

“In particular, elderly people in danger and those working to fulfil the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for all Nigerians.”

Dr. Emem Omokaro, the director general of the NSCC, listed the rights to life, liberty, and security of person, freedom from abuse, assault, and torture, right to work, and right to education as among the rights of older people that have been widely proclaimed.

“Today, we wish to present key findings from the IE Report and Nigeria’s response, and we have a multi-sectoral panel of discussants to offer their insights,” said Omokaro.

“We anticipate that the results will improve understanding of the opportunities and difficulties faced by older people.

“(To) strengthen partnerships and technical support, increased mainstreaming of ageing in multi-sector plans, the SDGs, equity and solidarity across generations.”