As part of activities to mark the 2022 International day of Older persons, the DG National Senior Citizens Center,Dr Emem Omokaro led a slow walk/ carnival to drive home the theme of this year’s celebration,’from resilience to empowerment ‘.
The walk which was well attended had a member of NSCC Governing Board, Prof. Mohammed Namadi; members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners; the NSCC National Stakeholders Consultative Forum; National Emergency Management Agency; Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria , staff of the NSCC, older persons, youth corpers and journalists.
The walk was started from the old parade ground in Abuja, through Radio house to NTA headquarters in Area 11 and back to Old parade ground.
Dr Omokaro, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the walk said, it was all about stressing that older persons have rights, matter, and have a lot to contribute to the development of the nation.
“Today, we are celebrating the first edition of Nigeria dedicating October 5th as National Day of Older Persons, so that we can have this day as it should be—really spotlighting older persons—their contributions, the challenges they face, the growing demographics, any gaps that we need to fill and then also to tune in to the UN thematic subject matter, and today, we are celebrating the resilience of older women and men.
“Our hashtag for this celebration in Nigeria, is from #ResiliencetoEmpowerment. it is particularly very delightful for us to be able to say ‘resilience to empowerment’ because this present administration has instituted frameworks, strategies, programs, activities and budget lines that has enabled this agency, NSCC that was set up by law one year ago, to begin to roll back the many years of neglect, discrimination whether it be systemic or institutional discrimination and roll back the many years of abuse and now systematically begin to include older people in development.
The NTA Director General, Mr. Salihu Dembos who was represented by the Executive Director, Administration and Training, Dr. Steve Egbo who received the team, said any society that neglects or forgets its older citizens is practically going nowhere as they [older persons] are the foundation of every society.
“They laid the groundwork which coming generations will build upon, but because of the systemic indifferences, at times we forget that this group of people are very important to us”, said the DG
He reassured that the Nigerian Society recognises that although older persons are made to retire at a certain age, there is still so much they have to contribute to nation building.
“By coming to NTA, you’ve come to the right place. We will let Nigerians know that there is a centre like this made up of national senior citizens. We will also let Nigerians know what your objectives are and we will invite you to talk to Nigeria. NTA is here to project your objectives. I welcome and encourage you to keep the light burning”, he concluded.
The celebration of international day of Older persons in Nigeria was moved to October 5 by President Buhari because the October 1 celebrated in other UN countries coincides with Nigeria’s Independence day Celebration.
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