NSCC to Celebrate Older Persons Alongside Independence Day.. Unveils Five Days Action of Empowerment 

Oru Leonard/ Mary Aminu

As Nigeria prepares to celebrate its 64th Independence Day, another significant event will also take place from October 1st to 5th, 2024.

The Director General, National Senior Citizens Centre, (NSCC), Dr. Emem Omokaro made this disclosure during a press conference in Abuja.

Dr Omokaro noted that International Day of Older Persons, observed globally on October 1st, celebrates the invaluable contributions of older individuals to society while addressing the challenges they face.

Recognizing the overlap with Nigeria’s Independence Day, the Federal Government under Muhammadu Buhari established October 5th as the National Day of Older Persons in December 2021, to ensure that contributions of the elderly are not overshadowed by national celebrations.

This year’s global theme for the International Day of Older Persons, “Celebrating Older Persons and the Integral Role They Play in Community,” resonates strongly in Nigeria.

NSCC has expanded the theme for Nigeria’s national commemoration to “Recognizing People and Places That Remove the Barriers,” emphasizing both the roles of older citizens and those working to create inclusive environments for them.

Dr. Omokaro underscored the vital contributions older persons make to Nigerian society, while calling for an urgent focus on combating ageism the stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination that hinder older individuals from accessing essential services such as healthcare, social security, and lifelong learning.

“The barriers to inclusion, independence, and participation faced by older persons are real. Our focus is to address these barriers head-on and celebrate those who have actively worked to remove them,” Dr. Omokaro remarked.

During the five-day commemoration, the NSCC will recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant strides in creating age-friendly environments.

The Director General disclosed that NSCC Distinguished Public or Humanitarian Service and Elder Justice Advocacy Award will honor changemakers who have played a key role in removing societal biases and improving the lives of older persons.

“We want to highlight those who have consciously made efforts to break societal barriers and enhance the lives of older persons,” Dr. Omokaro reiterated.

With an estimated 14.8 million older adults in Nigeria, 70% of whom live in rural areas, the elderly population spans a wide spectrum from actively working older persons with valuable skills and institutional memory, to frail, vulnerable individuals requiring long-term care.

She explained that the NSCC is committed to addressing this diversity of needs by advancing inclusive, non-discriminatory policies that promote active and healthy aging.

These efforts align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to foster a more equitable and inclusive society for all Nigerians, including senior citizens.

She added that the 2024 National Day of Older Persons will not only celebrate the past and ongoing contributions of senior citizens but also honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a deep commitment to understanding and enhancing the value of older persons in Nigerian society.

The NSCC will collaborate with media networks to amplify the voices of older citizens, while raising awareness of their significance.

Expected outcomes from the commemoration include a greater public understanding of the importance of creating age-friendly environments, which contribute to the health, well-being, and happiness of older persons. Key figures from various sectors will be recognized for their efforts in promoting the dignity and rights of older persons.

Dr Omokaro further disclosed that veteran media and entertainment personalities will be appointed as Goodwill Ambassadors and Advocates for the NSCC.

“Their mission will be to inspire Nigerians to honor, celebrate, and uplift older persons and the communities that support them.” She added

As Nigeria marks both its political independence and the contributions of its senior citizens, the joint celebrations promise to shine a spotlight on ongoing efforts to ensure older persons are valued, respected, and included in all aspects of national life.

Through these celebrations, Nigeria is taking a stand against ageism and is actively working towards a society where people of all ages can thrive.