The Nigerian Government has set October 5, as its National Day for Older Persons.
This is in recognition of the resilience, expertise, institutional memories, experiences and unprecedented contributions of the Older Persons to the socioeconomic development of the nation.
In line with this, the National Senior citizens Centre, NSCC organised a week long events to commemorate the maiden Day.
The Director-General of the Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro said the event were planned to tune in to the UN thematic areas.
During a Slow Carnival and Road Walk with the Older Persons, the Director General commended President Muhammadu Buhari for instituting frame-works, strategies, programmes, activities and budget lines that has enabled the Centre to carry out its mandate.
“It was set up by law a year ago to begin to roll back the many years of neglect, many years of discrimination, whether it be it systemic or institutional discrimination, to roll back the many years of abuse, and now systematically including Older people in development.
“Now we’re here celebrating this day because it looks like it will never come. But here’s Nigeria dedicating a whole day to celebrate the contributions of older persons, to recognise that they’re bonafide owners.” she emphasised.
Earlier, the National Senior Citizens Centre had a “Day Out with Older Persons” at St Ann’s hospital, Gwagwalada and Amazing Grace Foundation, Kado respectively.
The NSCC DG, was represented by the Head, Elder Justice, Stakeholder Engagements and Community Relations of the Centre, Olive Onono.
Highlight of the Day out was presentation of gifts to the Older persons in the two Houses visited.
The theme of the NDOP is Celebrating the Resilience of Older Women and Men: From Resilience to Empowerment.
