The need for continuum of multisectoral programs and services to meet the varied needs and challenges of older persons has been emphasized.
The director general National senior citizens center,Dr Emem Omokaro stressed this during the opening of a workshop for desk officers on the implementation of the strategic roadmap on Ageing.
Speaking to focal officers from the 36 states and other stakeholders present, she restated the agencies efforts to address the challenges of older persons in Nigeria ranging from ageism to health, income, security,well being and psychological issues.
“Older persons have peculiar challenges, the bedrock of which is ageism, negative form of stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination expressed at the micro, macro, institutional and social levels, indicated by non-inclusion of the older persons in strategic plans, programme designs, planning, implementation and budget lines”.
The DG further said “Ageism stems from the poor understanding of ageing issues across the relevant sectors that have mandates concerning older persons, as well as amongst the older persons themselves, their family members and their communities. This gap hinders age-centred service delivery and inclusiveness of older persons in development and social services plans. It brings about marginalization, neglect, abuse and violence against older persons resulting in negative health impacts. The other challenges can be broadly categorized into income security, health and wellbeing, psycho-social factors, humanitarian emergencies, unfriendly age environments and data gaps”
She said NSCC is positioned to engage with relevant MDAs to ensure mainstreaming and integration of older persons’ issues in all sector policies, strategic implementation plans, programs, services and budget lines.
Meanwhile the Special advicer to the president on humanitarian afaire,Alhaji Musa Bugundu described the National senior citizens center as the fastest growing agency and called on the incoming administration to prioritize issues of ageism to consolidate on the progress made so far.
The two day workshop ifor Desk Officers from 40 MDAs as well as officers from three House Committee on Disabilities, Poverty Alleviation and Committee on Women and Social Development. The training is on the implementation of Strategic Roadmap on Ageing and Project Activities.
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