By Gabriel Ameh, The Sight News
As Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Older Persons, the Minister Of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Betta Edu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment and resolve to strengthen the protection of the rights of older persons in line with the Universal Declaration of human rights.
This, she noted, will be done by accelerating the implementation of NSCC innovative, transformative and multi-sectoral programs and services designed to impact positively on quality of life and wellbeing of Senior citizens especially in rural and hard to reach places.
In her special address at the event which took place in Abuja at the United Nation House to commemorate the 2023 international day of older persons with the theme, “Fulfilling the promises of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights For Older Persons Across Generations”, Dr Edu called on all government and concerned stakeholders to reflect on the 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its impact on the protection of the rights of older persons.
According to her, the commemoration provides an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the adequacy of the normative framework of the international human rights system and its implementation mechanisms for ensuring the protection of rights of older persons and equity across generations.
In her welcome address, the DG National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Dr. Emem Omakaro stated that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was the first document to outline fundamental human rights that should be protected universally.
She, however, noted that the existing norms and procedures have become fragmented and their limitations have resulted in a failure to adequately recognize and protect the human rights of older people at the international level.
“The issue of Ageism, lack of strong legal policy and institutional frameworks, human resources, data gaps and partnership for financing, required at the national and subnational levels continue to forestall the promises and deliverables from Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, she noted.
Dr. Omokaro stated that report on the visit to Nigeria of the United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Right of Older Persons makes an attempt to present Nigeria’s efforts, best practices and gaps, hence, the one day stakeholders dialogue brings together the voices of older persons and their representative organizations,youths, national human right commission, development partners and stakeholders consultative forum to dialogue on the report and Nigeria’s response, and ways of promoting equity, strengthening solidarity and reciprocity across generations.
The NSCC boss further informed all stakeholders and the public that to commemorate a significant Day of Older Persons in Nigeria, October 5th annually was officially declared by the Federal government in line with October 1st which is the Nation’s Independence Day anniversary and NSCC will celebrate its annual day of older persons on the 5th in Ushafa community of Bwari Area council.
