By Aluta News
June 7, 2021
The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Senior Citizen’s Centre to facilitate its take-off.
Inaugurating the board in Abuja, on Monday, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq Minister, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, stated that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the establishment of the center since January 2018.
According to her, aging was today one of the critical issues on the front burner of global discourse.
“The proportion of older persons, aged 60 years and above, make up 12.5 per cent of the global population, and by 2050, that proportion will rise to almost 22 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa alone.
“In Nigeria, aging is a growing challenge against the background of accumulated socio-economic hardships, high poverty, poor health facilities and lack of access to education over time.
“While taking steps to reduce poverty and ensure inclusivity of most Nigerians to be productive, this administration has recognised the special needs of older persons as active agents of societal development.
“It is in this connection that the government made conscious efforts to establish the Centre to develop and implement productive activities, social protection and work schemes for senior citizens”, Farouq said.
The Minister reiterated that the Buhari administration was committed to the full realisation and achievement of Agenda 2030 on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that seek to actualise the human rights of all people.
“I hereby inaugurate the Board to the glory of Allah, the Almighty, and wish you success in your onerous assignment”, she told the board members.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Malam Nura Alkali, said the establishment of the Centre was a welcome development going by the long neglect of older persons in the country, by their limited access to basic services such as healthcare and recreation.
“The Centre will be responsible for recreational activities, educational, health and other social programmes and facilities for the full engagement of well respected senior citizens in Nigeria, who had paid their dues to the country.
“The Board has people with proven integrity and the Ministry will do everything in its power to enable the Centre take off successfully,” Alkali said.
On behalf of the members, the Board Chairman, Mohammed Mohammed, appreciated the President and the minister, for the confidence reposed in him and the members.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we are deeply inspired and encouraged by the words of the Honorable Minister. We humbly accept our appointments.
“I and my members will work relentlessly to impact positively on the lives of older persons in the country and uplift the progress of the centre,” Mohammed said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other members of the Board include: Dr Emem Omokaro, Mr Sani Ibrah, Mrs Victoria Onu, Prof. Usman Ahmed, Mr Umar Abudullahi, Dr Chris Osia, Dr Dorathy Nwodo, Prof. Muhammed Namadi.
Chairman, House Committee on IDPs Rep. Mohammed Jega, other relevant house committees and stakeholders, graced the inauguration, NAN also reported.
NAN