Nigeria To Develop Database On Senior Citizens

The Nigerian Government says it will partner with relevant stakeholders to create a reliable and sustainable database of Senior citizens in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Head, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), Mr Omini Oden, on Thursday in Abuja.

It said that the Director General of the centre, Dr Emem Omokaro, disclosed the plan during a visit to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen. Adeleke Mamora.

According to the statement, “Omokaro solicited for collaboration with the ministry to develop Senior Citizens’ Personal Information Portal.”

Omokaro informed the Minister of the desire to establish Senior Citizens Resource Centre across six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

The collaboration is geared towards achieving the NSCC’s flagship programmes such as Continuing Engagement Bureau Programme, and NSCC Senior-Led Indigenous Crafts and Skills Empowerment Programme, she said.

Omokaro maintained that the aim of the centre would only be achieved through a strategic partnership with relevant stakeholders.

“Having conducted national assessment of senior-led indigenous crafts and skills, findings revealed the dire need to develop modern techniques, tools and processing infrastructures.

“This is to relieve drudgery and expand production making it attractive to the youth to be involved,” the Director-General stressed.

Furthermore, Omokaro told the minister that the centre was interested in the provision of age friendly “Tele Health” opportunities for older persons.

The aim is to improve access to healthcare which the older persons desperately need, she said.

She therefore appealed for support to build the model Active Senior Citizens Centre, using Nigeria’s indigenous burnt bricks, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Responding, the Minister assured the centre of his support to achieve the mandate for which it was established.

Mamora commended the management of the centre for effort to ensure a robust partnership to mainstream ageing and other related programmes.

NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere