ABEOKUTA– The National Senior Citizens Center Consultative Stakeholders Forum on Ageing, Ogun State Chapter has held it’s maiden National Day Of Older Persons (NDOP), with the theme, “Celebrating the Resilience and Contributions of Older Men and Women in our Society”, while successfully navigating today’s myriad of challenges encontered in silver years.
Activities marking the commemoration held on October 5th, include a awareness walk by older persons, a public lecture, panel discussion by experts on ageing, older persons and younger ones, village market fair to exhibit older persons crafts and wares will however comes up at the grand finale event on the 29th October 2022.
Other major events also included free medical camps in four communities in the state, health talk and awareness programme.
In a press statement made available to The News Ville in Abeokuta by it’s Co-Chair and Facilitator, Hon Oluwole Oludare Olushoga, stated that “The past few years have brought profound upheaval in the nations health, socio-economic, and environmental sectors, with pandemic and climate related impacts experienced by older women and men.
“These effects continue to be deeply significant, particularly for many older women who bear the burden of cumulative disadvantage. Recognition of the vital contributions of older women and inclusion of their voices, perspectives and needs is critical to creating policies responsive to local and national challenges.
“Traditionally, aging was perceived as a negative phenomenon as it was associated with losses on many levels. Older persons are seen as burden in the society.
“The concept of resilience was, therefore, associated with adversity and bouncing back from negative attributes.
“In our community,, older persons are held in high esteem, and accorded special social status. They are a source of wisdom, influencing who we are, and who we aspire to be.
“Our older persons, while highlighting both the opportunities and the challenges that ageing presents. Empowering Older Persons for them to contribute more to out society. Today marks the maiden celebration as declared by the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari. It will be celebrateed every year on October 5th.
‘”Recently, WHO announced that healthy life expectancy in Nigeria and Africa has increased by an average 10 years per person. This increase is greater than for any other Region of the world during the same period.
“This year’s theme, “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World”, reminds us of the significant contributions that older people still have to make in all our lives.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, we saw many retired health workers return to work to help protect their communities. In Epe community here, thousands of families also rely heavily on older relatives, from caring for grandchildren, to contributing much-needed income to households.
“We must come up with more coping system for older persons for them to be empowered and be seen as asset and not burden in our community.
“We have to support them with more productive programmes and move them from resilience to empowerment.
“The day also provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of leaving no one behind, especially in the context of the declaration of 2021-2030 as the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.
“We must continue to invest in infrastructure that will benefit older persons in our community recognise their voices, perspectives and needs of our Older Persons which is critical to the creation of meaningful, holistic policies that advance us towards the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in our society.
“With older people at higher risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19, the pandemic has also highlighted the urgent need to prioritise the safety of our ageing population, who are in resilient living
“On this maiden edition of National Day of Older Persons today, let us commit to make the fundamental shifts necessary to foster healthy and active ageing. The four areas for action include the need to pursue age-friendly environments, free of physical and social barriers; to combat discrimination and ageism; to ensure access to good-quality essential health services
“Older persons are affected by lack of amenities , neglect by children, and family members, stigmatization, discrimination and stereotype
“Older persons are faced with income insecurities and insufficiency in retirement, Ageism, social isolation and older persons’ abuse”.
He noted that NSCC was established, pursuant to the National Senior Citizens Center. Act 2017, to identify the need of Senior Citizens and to cater for older persons.
“Dr Emem Omakoro is the first Director General of the Federal Government Agency under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
“The National Consultative Stakeholders on Ageing was inaugurated by the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in August.
“NNCC is the first distinct National body corporate, mandated, to positively reorient citizens to change perceptions and attitude about ageing and older age.
“Stem discrimination and abuse of Senior citizens and to initiate, develop and facilitate their access to healthcare, psychosocial counselling, social, economic and recreational opportunities to enhance Senior Citizens, living standard and their right to inclusion, dignity, security , wellbeing, participation and happiness”, he added
The release was further signed by, Prof Modupe Hassan, Co-Chair, Dr. Ismail Lawal, Vice Chair, Healthcare, Mrs. Aderounke Abolanle Adegunwa, Vice-Chair, Engagement and Learning Opportunities.
