The Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Dr Emem Omokaro has said that Nigerian Senior Citizens are not witches, stressing that the center will henceforth engage in promoting positive reorientation to change citizen’s perception about ageism as well as bring the war against elder abuse in the front burner is of utmost priority.
Dr. Omokaro made this known on Wednesday in Abuja.
This was sequel to a communiqué issued at the end of a one day senior citizens forum maiden dialogue organised by the center on August 2, 2021.
In a communique made available to Core Reporters and signed by Barr. Yemisi Akhile of legal services, NSCC and Mr. Omini Oden, head of Public Affairs, Media and Communication, NSCC, the senior citizens resolved that the NSCC Should establish counselling and volunteering desk that will provide psycho-social support for senior citizens and give them a sense of relevance in the society.
According to the communiqué, “NSCC should issue personalized means of identification to senior citizens for ease of accessibility and enhanced livelihood and dignity.
“Work towards ensuring that senior citizens are given priority in banks, hospitals and other service oriented locations. And Facilitate the process of ensuring that banks and other financial institutions grant senior citizens soft loans to grow existing businesses and start new ones rather than depend solely on monthly stipends or earnings.
“Facilitate mortgage for senior citizens for suitable shelter.
“Collaborate with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to sensitize and reorientation of Nigerians against elder abuse and stigmatization.
“Engage the Legal Aid Council to remove any limitation and provide aid when it concerns Senior Citizens.
“Train and certify caregivers of senior citizens and related institutions. And train more geriatricians to cater for senior citizens in the country.
Ensure that senior citizens in Nigeria are provided with universal health coverage and free healthcare. Every Primary Health Centre across the country should have a functional geriatric unit.
“Ensure that all Senior citizens are included in the National Health Insurance Scheme rather than make it available for only senior citizens who worked in the public sector.
“Collaborate with PENCOM, PTAD, Military Pension Board and other pension governance platforms including state and local governments to rectify anomalies in the pension payment system that constitutes elder abuse. And ensure that there is proper communication system in place to relate with senior citizens to ward off language barriers.”
The Maiden Dialogue was on the theme, “Leveraging Senior Citizens partnership for Effective Service Delivery”.
Recalled that in fulfilling one of its core mandate of identifying the needs of senior citizens in Nigeria and engage in activities necessary, incidental and conducive towards providing interventions in a wide range of areas, the National Senior Citizens Centre brought together senior citizens from the formal and informal sectors of the nation’s economy to dialogue on how to amplify the voices of senior citizens in decisions that affects their lives.
Also, sensitize and empower senior citizens in Nigeria with information about National Senior Citizens Centre including the policy and legislation guiding its operations, other objectives.
Meanwhile, senior citizens from various communities in Nigeria with representation from the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, senior citizens from the Armed Forces, seniors from the Diplomatic Community and from the informal sector of older women and traditional Institutions were all in attendance.
Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq was the the special Guest of Honour.
