Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
A Group, I-Care Initiative for the Aged has asked the Federal government to put in place a policy action that would guide against the abuse of the older persons in the country.
The Executive Director, I-Care Initiative, Mrs. Chinyere Ezeh in an interview with THISDAY said that to be old is considered a sign of reverence and distinction due to the wisdom and experience attached to it.
She explained that there is need for the Federal government to put in place a proactive policy action that would bring about synergy between the larger society and the older persons recognizing that, “older persons are not a homogeneous group of people, but are diverse and unique as any segment of the society.”
Ezeh revealed that in Nigeria, the gap in older persons protection breaches and jeopardizes the future of today’s youth who will be part of the largest population of older persons in accordance with the current statistics available in Nigeria.
She said, “government and non-governmental organizations must fashion out ways for sustainable and innovative policies through strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders to promote impacting advocacies to promote age inclusiveness in our developmental plans.”
According to her, the plight of Older persons have been a social challenge that the Nigerian government was not ready to fight now. “That is the reason why we are advocating for government to listen and include the older persons In the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), because; there is need to take care of our senior citizens who have served the country in different capacities.”
She added that the international community has also accepted this challenge with the inclusion of ageing issues in the SDGs to promote age inclusiveness. “today in Nigeria, it’s a nightmare as older persons are being abused, made vulnerable and stigmatized. Ageism has been the major challenge faced by the older persons which is found in all of us.
“It makes it easier to ignore the problems of the older persons and see them as different from ourselves.” The Executive Director lamented at situation whereby social development programs have been built and targeted to youth, women and children, leaving the older persons completely neglected. “to more effectively address the challenges of achieving a society for all ages, more attention should be paid to intergenerational issues which are the main causes of ageism.” She however stated that for real development to take place in the country, there is need for inclusiveness, access to health and enabling environment for all ages.
