Maiden President Summit On Ageing, Awards Holds In Abuja

The first Presidential Summit on Ageing and the maiden edition of National Senior Citizens Centre Ageing and Distinguished Lifetime Awards was held in Abuja recently.

Organized by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Senior Citizens Centre, the summit aimed to celebrate Nigeria’s senior citizens, to honour their past and continuing contributions and acknowledge them in their diversity as positive force for development.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who turned 79 on the day and eight others received awards at the event which had as its theme, “Building Inter-Generational Synergies for Inclusive, Cohesive and Sustainable Communities.”

Other senior citizens, who received the awards are Elder Nathaniel Okoro, Prof. Julius Okojie, Dr Halima Yalwa Adamu, Salome Yuyu Sambo, Mahamuda Abubakar, Chief Richard Idowu, Alhaji Haliru Bunza and Hajiya Saudatu Bungudu.

There was also a medical team on standby to attend to participants of the summit.

The National Policy and National Senior Citizens’ Center Act was also unveiled at the event, which commemorated the International Day of Older Persons.

Speaking at the event, President Buhari expressed commitment to provide and enhance mechanisms that will effectively cater for the different needs of senior citizens in the country.

The president, who was the special guest of honour, regretted that older persons, who had toiled in raising their children and contributed their quota to the development of the society were mostly neglected and abused.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbeshola, said, “In bringing about the paradigm shift in this regard, I signed into law the NSCC Act 2017 to cater for senior citizens. It is the first distinct national corporate body with a clearly defined focus on inclusion of senior citizens in sustainable development in the history of Nigeria.

”My administration has approved the National Policy on Ageing in 2020 to address special needs and harness opportunities in the increasing numbers of older persons in the country. The Federal Government is committed to effectively mobilize human and capital resources needed to develop the appropriate mechanism that will be geared towards promoting, providing and ensuring access to basic social services of older persons.”

He posited that the 2025 Economic Growth Development Plan, the establishment of NSCC in June 2021, and the appointment of the board members and Director-General is a testimony to the Federal Government’s commitment to cater for senior citizens.

“I, therefore, encourage every tier of government, traditional and religious institutions, private sector and all Nigerians to be partners in supporting the NSCC in catering for the aged and older persons in the nation,” he said.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, expressed gratitude that the president had taken the front row as one of the few in Africa to establish an entity and institutional capacity to address issues regarding ageing and older persons.

”We thank you Mr President for your consideration and impacting positively on the poor and vulnerable in our society. The signing of Disability Act 2018, the NSCC Act 2017 and the establishment of the Ministry to coordinate them, and provide social protection is a clear indication of a president who has the poor and vulnerable at heart. For these, Mr President will leave a legacy and write his name in gold in the hearts of the people he has touched,” Farouq said.

She also appealed to President Buhari to approve a special day for the celebration of senior citizens in Nigeria.

Director General of the NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro, said the Presidential Summit is to celebrate Nigeria’s senior citizens, to honor their past and continuing contributions and to recognize, and acknowledge them in their diversity as positive force for development.

“Today’s bold outing and the assemblage of older persons from rural communities and urban centers in their socio economic diversity , within the festive atmosphere, are testimonies that the integration of older persons in development is no longer ad-hoc or dismissible in Nigeria.

“This day also marks the first commemoration of the international Day of older persons, since the National Senior Citizens Center (NSCC)’s establishment, pursuant to the National Senior Citizens Centre Act 2017. On this occasion Mai on behalf of all behalf of Senior citizens and the families who car for them and all stakeholders in ageing, who for many years advocated for the rights of older persons, expresses sincere and profound appreciation to the President, His Excellency Muhmmadu Buhari, his unprecedented political will and actions

“In signing the National Senior Citizens Centre Bill into law and approving the National Policy on Ageing, the President has enabled the institutional capacities to integrate older persons in development. Thank you Mr. President.

“I wish to acknowledge and appreciate the Hon. Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the Chief host of the Presidential summit, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq for her commitment to the acceleration of social inclusion of all who were left behind. Hon Minister, your support has smoothened NSCC’s take off and your sponsorship made this summit possible. Nigeria’s senior citizens thank you for your relentless efforts in facilitating the delivery of the Federal Executive Council’s approval of the National Policy and the inauguration of the Governing Board of NSCC.

“We are very delighted that the National Policy and National Senior Citizens’ Center Act will today be unveiled, allowing access to public readership, and education on their contents. These instruments are critical to helping NSCC set up concrete procedures and mechanisms to pursue its mandate and functions,” she said.