Federal Government to formulate National Policy On Ageing for Older Persons

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq says the Federal Government will soon come up with a National Policy on Ageing for Older Persons to protect the rights and privileges for the Ageing Population in Nigeria

She made this known at a one-day stakeholder’s engagement meeting for the establishment of National Senior Citizens Centre.

“I would like to inform you that the present Administration is making concerted effort to bring un stream very soon, the National Policy on Ageing which will also drive the process of mainstreaming emerging issues of Older Persons and enact laws to protect the rights and privileges for the Ageing Population in Nigeria”.

“Let me at this juncture commend and appreciate Mr President for signing into Law the National Senior Citizens Centre Act which will pave way for the establishment of Community Based Prototype systems such as Community Safe Spaces for the Elderly, Leisure and Day-care Centres which the private sector can key into.

“It is my hope that this very important meeting will bring out implementation strategies that would impact positively on Older Persons to ensure access to basic social protection and social services necessary to break the circle of poverty, inequality and social exclusion,” the Minister explained.

She said the meeting would provide a platform for them to rob minds in order for them to come out with credible recommendations that would assist the Government in setting up the National Citizens Centre.

“I enjoin you to continue to strategize for the full realisation of achieving agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which has set out a universal plan of action to achieve sustainable development in a balanced manner and seeks to realise Human Rights of all people. This calls for leaving no one behind for ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals are met for all segment of the society, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable, including older Persons,” she added.

FMIC/PIAK