NSCC reaffirms resolve to strengthen the protection of the rights of Senior Citizens
Oru Leonard
As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Older Persons, the Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro reaffirms the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen the protection of the rights of older persons in line with the Universal Declaration of human rights by accelerating implementation of NSCC innovative, transformative and multi-sectoral programs and services designed to impact positively on quality of life and wellbeing of Senior citizens especially in rural and hard to reach places.
With the theme “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons Across Generations” NSCC is calling on government at all levels and concerned stakeholders to reflect on the 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its promises for all and examine issues of universality, inclusion, equity, solidarity and reciprocity across generations and how adequately the normative framework of the international and National human rights system and its implementation mechanisms have ensured the protection of rights of older persons which the Universal Human Rights Declaration pledges.
Dr Omokaro appeals to all sectors of development and all citizens, young and old to join the nationwide Elder Justice Campaign launched by NSCC to prevent and address discrimination, neglect, abuse and violence against older persons and to ensure older persons right based on inclusion in all health, social and economic development programs in Nigeria.
The Director General renewed her appeal on the urgent need for State Governments to domesticate the National Senior Citizens Centre Act 2017 and to develop state Policies and Plan of Action on Ageing for there to be Frameworks and mechanisms to integrate older persons and development and to provide seamless synergy at the national, state and local government levels.
To commemorate a significant Day of Older Persons in Nigeria, October 5th annually was officially declared by the Federal government in line with October 1st which is the Nation’s Independence Day anniversary.
For 2023 commemoration, NSCC presents two major events; Tuesday October 3rd, the National Senior Citizens Centre and the Office of the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator will Co-host a one-Day multi-sector stakeholders dialogue on 75 years of the Universal declaration of human rights for older persons and efforts of Nigeria in strengthening the protection of rights of older persons across generations.
The one-day dialogue will feature appraisal of the Report on the visit to Nigeria of the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights of Older Persons (2022) to gain insights on the efforts of Nigeria, best practices and gaps as well as receive the Response of Nigeria as presented at the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council held in Geneva.
A panel of discussants where voices of older persons and their representative organizations, youths, relevant MDAs, development partners and stakeholder consultative forum on ageing will be heard concerning ways of promoting equity, equality, addressing violation and strengthening solidarity across generations.
On Thursday October 5 2023, NSCC in collaboration with multi-sector partners will launch NSCC flagship community program – Grandmothers Arise Multi-Purpose Cooperative on Economic Tree Crop and Vegetable planting and Auxiliary with WASH and Health Insurance Coverage at Bwari Town Hall, Bwari Area Council.
The issues of ageism, and need for strong legal and institutional frameworks, human resource and data gaps as well as, partnership for financing, required at the national and subnational levels to ensure older persons human rights will be discussed.
This will be the second year the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), will be facilitating the commemoration of the National Day of Older Persons as a federal Government Agency in Nigeria.
tt will be recalled that in December 2021, there was a presidential declaration of the 5th of October annually beginning from 2022 as the National Day of Older Persons (NDOP) in Nigeria.
(NSCC Media)
