FG implores senior citizens in building a united Nigeria
Tom Okpe, Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Jummai Allhassan has called on the aged whom she described as senior citizen to bring their wealth of experience to bear and key into the administration change mantra to build a peaceful and harmonious Nation.
She also said the aged and the older ones in the society needs attention and care imploring stakeholders, development partners, civil organizations, organized private sector, media and family members to key into their affairs and care as government alone cannot do it.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Ifeoma N. Anagbogu spoke at the occasion of the 2017 commemoration of the International Day of older persons on Monday in Abuja said: “I enjoined you our most revered senior citizens to bring your wealth of experience to bear and key into the change mantra of this administration through constructive advice to bring the younger generation and your respective community members in building a peaceful and harmonious Nation”.
The Minister assured government’s continued commitment to ensure that the wellbeing of the aged in the society is secured.
“Presently, modalities are in place to review the existing policy on ageing; many women including the older ones have benefited from the National Women Empowerment Fund Program (NAWEF) which is one of the four pillars of social investment program of this administration meant for empowerment of all categories of women.
“The Government Empowerment Entrepreneurship Program (GEEP) also an initiative of this administration is open to all eligible men and women in the country which includes active older persons, while the Ministry regularly empowers the fragile elderly with mobility aids to reduce age related sickness.
“We also embark on a monitoring and evaluation visit to the Old People’s Homes and consistently engages with other relevant stakeholders to map out projects and programs aimed at ensuring the well-being of older people’s population in the country”, she said.
According to the Minister, there is a projection that by the year 2030, the number of persons aged 60 years and above will increase from the present 901 million to more than 1.4 billion thereby making their number exceed the youths within ages 15 and 24.
“Undoubtedly, ageing has become a global phenomenon as demographic findings have indicated a steady increase in the number of older persons all over the world particularly in the developing countries. This is attributed to an improved standard of living and consequently a decrease in mortality rate”.
The International Day of Older persons celebrated 1st October every year is set aside by the United Nations General Assembly by its resolution, 45/106 of 14th December 1990 to raise awareness on issues affecting the elderly and to appreciate their contributions to the society.
