FG seeks better care for senior citizens

The Federal Government has cautioned against stigmatising and discriminating against senior citizens and the ageing population in Nigeria.

The pioneer Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro, gave the warning in her keynote address at the Humanitarian Service Diamond Awards 2024 held in Abuja on Wednesday.

The DG emphasised that it was important to address the growing perception, especially by the younger generation, that ageing parents are a ‘distraction and burden’ to the larger society.

Her statement was also a reaction to reports that the ageing population is not covered by the health insurance scheme just as some banks in Nigeria have it as a policy not to grant loan facilities above certain amounts to people who are advanced in age.

But Omokaro insisted that old age should be seen as a beautiful thing to cherish and not to despise.

She said, “Ageing is what everybody prays for. It calls for celebration. However, there is a very pessimistic attitude about older persons. They are seen as a distraction. This is because there is a wrong perception that the ageing population has nothing to give back. So when opportunities occur in humanitarian delivery efforts, maybe due to limitations in funding, the issue becomes which demography should be considered.

“Of course, once that question is brought up, older persons may be overlooked. Many believe it is a waste because they have nothing to contribute. We are working to change that narrative. The population of older persons is as diverse as you can imagine. On the one hand, you have older persons who are full of vigour and able to live independently with autonomy. They are still heads of their families and have continued to invest in their communities.

“On the other side, you have older persons who are extremely poor, vulnerable and cannot help themselves at all. They depend on others for their hygiene, movement and feeding. In the NSCC, we have had cause to carry out our needs assessment and found older artisans, farmers, and weavers who still contribute to the intricacy of their artistry and are producing the most beautiful things you can imagine. All they need is an opportunity.”

A recipient of the diamond award and Chairman of Wells Carlton Hotel, Osahon Okunbo, also shared her sentiment.

Okunbo, who was also at the event to receive a posthumous award in honour of his father, the late Captain Idahosa Wells, appealed to Nigerians to consider seeing the care for geriatrics as an investment in humanitarian effort.

He said, “Humanity, being humane, is God’s task to us on earth. We should not just live for ourselves. We need to live for others. One of the people who have been very influential in my life was my father, the late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbor. One of the values he told me was that some of the greatest investments you can make should be in people. His life was an example of that.

“I have been fortunate to meet with two or three persons in London who volunteered to help me because of my identity, saying my father helped them despite not knowing them in person. This further proves that investing in people is really what we are created to do, especially if God bless us. It is one of the cardinal values we must uphold. That’s how I chose to live my life and, quite frankly, I don’t think I deserve an award for it.

“My message to everyone out there is simple. It doesn’t if you can’t help a million, thousand or hundred people. Just start by helping one person. Start with your family and immediate community. Hopefully, we can change the world.”

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