NSCC Celebrate National Day of Older Persons in A Grand Style
Maryam Aminu
The Minister for Hutmanitarian Affairs,Disaster Management and Social Development, Haj.Sadiya Umar Farouq has reassured Federal Government’s commitment to social inclusion for older persons.
Faruk stated this during the celebration of Nigeria’s 1st maiden edition of international day of Older persons in Abuja
Speaking on the theme: Celebrating the Resilience of older women and men: from resilience to empowerment, Farouk
She assured the ministry will ensure foundational framework of policies that will benefit older persons and make them age with dignity
She said the establishment of the National Senior Citizens center was a pointer to the fact that a new Dawn of recognition has come for older persons in Nigeria
“This is reflected in the launch of the National Policy on Ageing, Development of a ten-year Strategic Roadmap and National plan of Action on Ageing that will enable sustainable sector wide inclusion and partnerships. These programs are incorporated in the 2021-2025 National Development Plan”.
According to Haj.Farouq, government has set up Ageing Desks in 32 MDAs with trained officers for effective ageing programs mainstreaming and set up States Stakeholders in Ageing Consultative Forums in 34 States and the FCT with a National Consultative forum drawn from members of State Steering groups.
She said this first celebration by NSCC, signifies that older persons have indeed been included which shows that all their struggles and contributions will no longer be in vein
In his opening remarks, the Chairman NSCC Governing Board, AVM Muhammadu A. Muhammed (rtd) express the need to have policies that will make our senior citizens remain active to continuously contribute to the nation’s economic activities.
“In Africa culture, the elderly have always been held in high regards and are given special status. Older persons are source of wisdom, influencing who the younger generations are and who they(younger generations)wish to become” Muhammed added.
The event also includes a hall of fame Grey and Vintage Fair Tour which showcase the resilience and contributions made by local older women and men and Medical Outreach.
