WEAAD 2022: This is the first time Senior Citizens are being celebrated, says Comrade Isiguzo, as Ogbeche calls for capacity building of the NSCC Press Corps
Oru Leonard
President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo has commended the Federal Government of NIgeria and the NIgeria Senior Center (NSCC), for marking the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), which comes up June 15th of every year as instituted the United Nations, adding that this was the first time that Senior Citizens were being celebrated in Nigeria.
Speaking at event, the NUJ President, noted that people normally protest against child abuse and women’s right, adding that it was also necessary to protest against abuse of older persons.
“I must have to applaud the government for waking up from 11 years slumber to make us care for the elders. Establishment of NSCC is one of the key efforts.
“This should be replicated at the state and local government levels, so that they will care for the elderly; not only at NSCC, but the 774 local government areas in the country.
“The care for the elderly should be the responsibility of all and sundry,” Isiguzo said.
He also appluaded the Director General of NSCC on the inauguration of NSCC Press Corps adding that it would go a long way to put issues of older persons on the front page of Newspapers and on the front burner.
Isiguzo called on Nigerians to always respect older persons during election, especially at polling units or boots.
Similarly, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, the NUJ FCT Council Chairman, called on Omokaro to build the capacity of members of the NSCC Press Corps to enable them report issues of older persons and the centre.
“As a council, we will continue to support what the centre is doing, because, you have come very far on issues of older persons”, Ogbeche noted.
Meanwhile, Dr Ogugua Osi-Ogbu of the Geriatrics Association of Nigeria has said that ageing was multi-sectoral therefore all hands should be on deck.
“We want to see Nigeria where older persons are respected and cared for. We must renounce those practices that discriminate against older persons”.
The event also witnessed the award of certificates to Older Persons Desk Officers from 32 MDAs that were recently trained in Abuja.
Among the guests were officials from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, National Identity Management Commission, National Health Insurance Scheme, National Orientation Agency, NAPTIP, National Union of Pensioners and many others.
