The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq has disclosed that the National Policy on Ageing is ready for approval by the Federal Executive Council.
The Minister said this at a symposium to commemorate the 2020 International Day of the Older Persons in Abuja.
Represented by the Director Humanitarian Affairs Department, the Minister said that the symposium was an annual celebration of senior citizens around the world and a chance to take stock of the opportunities and challenges related to ageing.
“In realisation of this fact, the ministry initiated various programmes and activities towards ensuring healthy ageing and overall wellbeing of the elderly”.
“The Ministry promotes deliberate policy interventions in partnership with both international, regional bodies to develop and implement programmes and projects that will ensure the overall wellbeing of the elderly. It will also interest you to note that the national policy on ageing has been finalised, awaiting the Federal Executive Council approval”.
“The Ministry serves as the vehicle to bring get about speedy Humanitarian, policies and provide effective coordination of national and international humanitarianism interventions, and ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response”.
Also speaking, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, said that government and business owners should work towards ensuring free transportation for elderly people, free medication, free legal services and timely payment of pensions; in order for them to be happy and also encourage the younger generation.
“We need free transportation for the aged. Free medication is important for the aged. If the aged are happy, the young will be happier. Let us help the aged so that the young will not resort to self-help. If the aged are not paid their pensions, the young will seek avenues to loot public treasury in older to take care of their old age. So, the youth will be happier if the old are made happy”.
The Director of Social Development, Dr. Nwodo expressed her appreciation to all participants, development partners, stakeholders and staff of the Ministry at the event, she said without their support the Ministry would not have achieved much in a short while.
Present at the event were Representative of Chief of Staff Brigadier T. E Garariga, Comodore Olanrewaju, DCC Sikiru Balogun, representing Federal Road Safety Corp, Dame May Ikoku Dr. Ogugua Osi-Ogbu and others.
Felicia Adeyemo
For: Deputy Director (lnformation)
15th October 2020
