The Federal Government has declared October 5 as the National Day for Senior Citizens in Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the declaration at the First Presidential Summit on Ageing and Awards ceremony in Abuja.
In his keynote address, the President who was represented by the Minister of Interior Affairs Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola stated that 4.7% of Nigeria’s population which comes to over 9m Senior Citizens, have contributed their best to the development of the country.
He however observed that the elderly have not been treated fairly and with dignity.
“Senior Citizens are the most neglected and abused in the society and have been left to die in silence.
“In bringing about a paradigm shift, I, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law, the National Senior Citizen’s Centre Act 2017 to cater for the needs of senior citizens. The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to effectively mobilizing capital resources needed to develop the appropriate mechanism that will be geared towards promoting and providing unhindered access to social services.
President Buhari said “As a further demonstration of our support for senior citizens, the 5th of October every year will be celebrated as National Day for Senior Citizens in Nigeria”
Earlier, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq thanked the President for signing the Disability Acts 2018 and the National Senior Citizens Centre Acts 2017 and appealed for take-off funds for the Centre.
“We have a load of requests to enhance the work on ageing including the release of the take-off grant to the National Senior Citizens’ Centre.
Health checks were carried out on some Senior Citizens during the summit while awards of excellence were given to 8 deserving senior citizens including Elder Nathaniel Okoro, the first indigenous Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Chief Richard Olajide Idowu, the first blind Television Producer and radio presenter as well as Hajiya Saudatu Usman Bungudu, a one time Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development amongst others.
RADIO NIGERIA