A NEW ERA FOR NIGERIA’S ELDERS : Akinyemi-Obe Pledges Dignity, Inclusion, and Purpose at NSCC Handover
Maryam Aminu
In a heartfelt and visionary address at the official handover ceremony of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) on Friday, the new Director-General, Dr. Alhaja Medinat Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe vowed to continue in restoring the dignity and purpose to Nigeria’s ageing population. Anchored by her leadership theme “Restoring Dignity, Enabling Purpose” Akinyemi-Obe declared her appointment not as a privilege but “a solemn responsibility to honour those who have shaped the nation.”
Dr. Akinyemi-Obe expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, aligning her mission with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “We are committed to building a compassionate, inclusive society,” she said, promising that “no citizen will be left behind, especially those who have laboured through the decades to build this great nation.”
Outlining her priorities, she pledged to champion dignity in retirement, improve access to quality healthcare, promote lifelong learning, and protect seniors from abuse. She further emphasized the importance of giving older citizens “a strong voice in national affairs.”
Paying tribute to her predecessor, Dr. Emem Omokaro, Akinyemi-Obe remarked, “We are not starting from scratch. We are building on a foundation of dedication and excellence.” She also commended the NSCC staff as “the engine of progress,” pledging to enhance workplace conditions, staff welfare, and cultivate a culture of innovation.
In her inclusive call to action, she urged stakeholders from government agencies and NGOs to faith groups and youth movements to join the Centre in weaving “a safety net of care, respect, and opportunity for our elders.” Speaking directly to Nigeria’s senior citizens, she declared:
“You are not forgotten. You are not a burden. You are the living libraries of our nation, the guardians of our values, the beacons of resilience.”
Earlier in the ceremony, outgone Director-General Dr. Emem Omokaro reviewed her impactful four-year tenure, highlighting the development of Nigeria’s first comprehensive ageing policy, the launch of empowerment initiatives, and the establishment of national standards for geriatric care. “We proved, with evidence, that older persons are still capable and contributing,” she affirmed.
Passing the baton with confidence and grace, Omokaro addressed her successor:
“My sister, this is all we have done in four years. You can call it the foundation, but I know you are going to set the roof on it.”
The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Hon. Lanre Okunlola, Member of the House of Representatives representing Surulere II and a member of the Committee on Disabilities, as well as Hon. Abiodun Yinusa, Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture.
Photo Caption: An interactive session involving both the outgoing and incoming Directors General and participants from the ongoing NSCC-NBTE training program for Quality Assurance Assessors in Geriatric Social Care.
Cover Photo Caption, L-R: Outgone Director-General Dr. Emem Omokaro with the New DG, Dr Medinat Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe.
