FGN Pledges To Improve The Quality Of Life and Wellbeing of Older Persons
Maryam Aminu
The Federal Government of Nigeria is aiming at improving health, well-being and quality of life for older people by developing local services saying it will replicate the Grand Mother Arise for Good sector-wide model with access to basic health and social service for older persons in in the 36 States and the FCT.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Beta Edu gave the assurance during the National Senior Citizens Center Commemoration of the 2023 National day of Older Persons held in USHAFA Community in Abuja.
Dr. Beta Edu expressed satisfaction with the extensive collaboration of NSCC with other critical stakeholders in strengthening the rights of older persons participation in policy and planning and implementation of programs, that directly impact their lives.
The Minister represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr. Taiwo Ademola , said the policy objective to ensure integration of older persons in all aspects and phases of the project, is driven by NSCC’s determination to strengthen the rights of older persons to participation in policy and planning, implementation, monitory and evaluation of programs, that directly impact their lives.
This is in line with the inclusion, equity, job creation, productivity and social investment priority pillar of the ministerial deliverables.
“The Community celebration and launch of the NSCC facilitated Sector- wide -social enterprise model of the older persons-centred multipurpose cooperative society today, is proof of concept, that innovative and transformational development is sustainable when mechanisms of engagements, interaction, consultation embrace transparency and participation of older persons within their community.” Said the Minister
“With the presidential priorities of the administration of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and, the repositioning of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, there is clear demonstrated of political goodwill and commitment to developing mechanisms and sustainable systems to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of Nigerans by progressively lifting 133 million Nigerians out of poverty. This program is one of such vehicles, targeted at the older population category, but clearly impacting prosperity to the entire community including the youth.”
She added that the present administration would continue to develop mechanisms to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of Nigerans
The Director General of NSCC, Dr. Emem Omakaro who commended the rezealiance of the Ushafa community said the Grandmother Arise for Good Multi-purpose Cooperative Society which is a pilot Scheme of the Agency, announced the enrollment of over sixty Order persons into the National Health Insurance scheme to enable them access free medical care as they engage in farming and enterprenueral activities
Dr. Omakaro said NSCC was in synergy with relevant stakeholders for the off take of the Economic Tree Crop and Vegetable Planting and Auxiliary Activities produced by the Older Persons in other to improve their income and security.
Some of the beneficiaries of the NHIS enrollees appreciated NSCC for the initiative called on the government and the Private sectors open more opportunity for Older Persons have free access to health facilities especially in the grassroots.
Dr.Omokaro noted that Grandmothers exist in all societies where elders are both highly respected and responsible for transmitting their knowledge to younger generations, adding that the
involvement and support of grandmothers to younger women and children is beneficial in terms of both their advisory and their caregiving roles
