NSCC-NIMC-NUP Holds Town Hall Meeting With Senior Citizens

Maryam Aminu

To sensitise the process of enrollment and issuance of identity cards for senior citizens in line with the President’s policy declarations in December 2021 and the NSCC Act 2017, the National Senior Citizens Centre in collaboration with National Identity Management Commission organized a town hall meeting for senior citizens on Wednesday in Abuja.

In her welcome address, the Director General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), Dr Emem Omokaro stated that the purpose of the meeting is to sensitise senior citizens and the general public about the the president’s policy declaration in December last year which directed the progressive registration of Senior citizens and the issuance of a functional identity cards to facilitate their access to dignified age friendly services, considerable discounts and courtesies in use of public spaces and facilities.

Omokaro notified that the president’s policy declaration is inline with the National Senior Citizens Centre Act 2017 which prescribes the keeping of records and statistics of senior citizens and building a dynamic functional data system.

According to her,” president Muhammad Buhari’s exceptional political commitment to the inclusion and active participation of older persons in development has been indicated in the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the 1st National Policy on Ageing, the Senior Citizens Centre Act. 2017 with the establishment of the National Senior Citizens Centre.

Omokaro expressed that older persons are often barred from inclusion and participation because ageing is taking place in the context of increasing urbanization, migration and digitalization and a growing number of persons who are ageing lack access to age appropriate and age friendly services in supporting and enabling environment which are necessary to promote dignity, independence and autonomy.

“This lack of access is often exacerbated by ageism: negative stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination and lowered expectations of their abilities, which informs the exclusion from participation in what they value and negates their wellbeing and reaching full potentials,” she stated.

To facilitate efforts to make public spaces, public transportation terminals, transit points and other services used by the general public accessible to senior citizens and all who live with disabilities, the centre promised to focuse on these thematic areas hospital facilities & health services, banking facilities and services, hotels and restaurants services, religious organizational facilities and services, educational services and pooling booths

Speaking also, the Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz commended the efforts of Dr. Omokaro and affirmed that the meeting is truly a great opportunity for all stakeholders to brainstorm, exchange ideas and come up with positive creative ideas that will help the centre achieve its mandate seamlessly.

“You will all agree with me that the establishment of the National Senior citizens Centre is an indication of commitment of the administration of His Excellency, Commander- in- chief and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, in ensuring that the very essential institutions, systems and mechanisms to facilitate the quality of life, economic and social participation of older Persons are protected and guaranteed. I am of a firm belief that the integration of the challenges of the senior citizens into Nigeria’s development plans will go a long way in improving their standard of living and general well being as the nation leverages their experience, wealth of knowledge and good counsel in nation building.” Engr. Aziz added.

“In the world today, Identity is a public good, a tool for empowerment and facilitation of access to basic services. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has a core mandate to provide foundational ID through the issuance of a unique number to all citizens and legal residents amongst many others. Our partnership with the National Senior Citizens center is very strategic and the Commission is fully committed in ensuring that we prioritize the need of the Senior Citizens in this regard. We have also directed all our enrolment centers to give priority to senior citizens as they show up for identity regaitration. As a side activity, the Commission has provided an enrolment booth to register Senior Citizens and sensitize them on the process of enrolment and issuance of National ID cards.” He said

He urged all to work closely together, collaborate and partner more to ensure the mandate of the center is achieved and sustained.

He assured that NIMC will continue to work with National Senior citizen Center to ensure that the digital ID which you can use easily and uniquely to identify yourselves at point of any transaction is provided.

On the part of the pensioners, they expressed that ‘Senior Citizens’ are a treasure to our society. They have worked hard all these years for the development of the nation as well as the community. They possess a vast experience in different walks of life. The youth of today can gain from the experience of the senior citizens in taking the nation to greater heights. At this age of their life, they need to be taken care of and made to feel special.

With the president’s policy declaration and NSCC Act.2017 Nigeria Senior citizens will soon be joyous just the way Indian Government provides several benefits through its schemes in various sectors of development.