The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has reiterated determination to cater for senior citizens in Nigeria.
She stated this Monday in Abuja during a meeting with the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights of Older Persons, Dr. Claudia Mahler.
Farouq said that, in the next five years, with the multi-sectoral partnerships and synergies created across federal, states and local governments, “Nigeria will continue to accelerate investments in its older population for strengthened human rights, improved quality of life and enjoyment of all older persons including those living with disabilities and cognitive impairments.”
She said: “Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with a population of 206 million and a total of 14.9 million older persons currently living here. The country has a growth rate at 3.2 %, and in spite of the huge and growing youth population, it is projected that Nigeria will record 28.8 million older persons by 2050. (NBS 2019).
“It is in realization of the above that His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into Law the Act to establish National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) in 2017. This represents the first distinct and focal body to reorient citizens’ negative perceptions and attitude about Ageing and older persons and stem discrimination and abuse.
“The Federal Executive Council in 2021, approved the National Policy which is rooted in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other international and regional instruments, including the Madrid International Plan of Action.
“The National Senior Citizens Centre has the mandate to identify the needs of senior citizens in Nigeria and to cater for them. The statutory remit of the NSCC is also rooted and aligned with the recommendations and pledges of the strategic objectives of the National Policy on Ageing, with the overall goal of strengthening the protection of the rights of older persons.
“So far, the mainstreaming of Integrated care for older persons into states primary health care chemes through partnerships with WHO and National Primary Health Care Development Agencies is being piloted in the FCT and Adamawa State.”
Speaking earlier, the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights of Older Persons, Dr. Claudia Mahler, said she visited with her team to seek areas of collaboration with the ministry.
She said: “I am grateful to learn that there is a policy in place which tackles the issues of senior citizens and will be monitored. I am willing to hear more about concrete steps so as to know where to render support to Nigeria in this regard.
“We can also raise more awareness. A lot of things are already going on. I think older persons are not that visible than other age groups.
“All over the world, we are still at the awareness level that older persons are left behind. We need not only to support them, but to give them space to be the advocate for themselves.
“I encourage you to tell me what is going on in your specific areas, including numbers as it would help me in my report.”
She added: “On human right issues, we need to ensure that barriers are overcome, for example age discrimination is a global issue concerning older persons.
“We are looking forward to see the leadership of Nigeria in Africa. I am also happy to hear the support from Nigeria for right of older persons.
“I read all your papers and plans and I am looking forward to see us monitoring, so then we can work together to make their lives better.”