We haven’t lost our strength and leg muscles: Senior Citizens walk from old parade ground to NTA.
Maryam Aminu
As part of the activities to commemorate International day of older persons in Nigeria, the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), organized a slow walk carnival for the aged as they walk from old parade ground, through The Radio House to NTA office area 11 Abuja and back to old parade ground.
The Director General, National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro expressed that the walk is to address misconceptions about older persons and aging
The walk is also to show that older persons are resilient and full of vigor
We are out to commit to make the fundamental shifts necessary to foster healthy ageing. The four areas for action include the need to pursue age-friendly environments free of physical and social barriers; to combat discriminatory ageism; to ensure access to good-quality essential health services, DG added.
Dr Omokaro expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for approving the centre’s, policy, strategic plan and for putting necessary machineries in place to systematically and sustainably include older persons in development agenda
She assured that the centre has ushered in new policies that benefit seniors across the world and no older persons will be left behind
Representing the Director General, Nigeria Television Authority(NTA), Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos, the Secretary Director administration and training, Prof. Egbo Steve commended the president of Nigeria for recognizing senior citizens and setting a date aside to celebrate them.
Prof. Egbo noted a society tht neglects it’s older citizens is practically going no where because these older citizens are the foundation of every society.
He noted that at some point in time there is a law that makes senior citizens to retire at a certain age, that is not to show that they are weak, but to show that they still have a lot to contribute to nation building.
“By coming to NTA, you’ve come to the right place. We will let Nigerians know that there is a centre like this made up of national senior citizens. We will also let Nigerians know what your objectives are and we will invite you to talk to Nigeria. NTA is here to project your objectives and spotlight older persons”, he concluded.
