Minister pushes support for the aged

The Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, has called for provision of healthcare, income security and support for the aged. She spoke as I-Care Initiative for the Aged, a non-governmental organisation, held its first ageing summit in Abuja. The minister, represented by Mr Folorunsho Babajide, said that her ministry, had the responsibility […]

The Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, has called for provision of healthcare, income security and support for the aged.

She spoke as I-Care Initiative for the Aged, a non-governmental organisation, held its first ageing summit in Abuja.

The minister, represented by Mr Folorunsho Babajide, said that her ministry, had the responsibility of “protecting and ensuring the wellbeing of vulnerable group, notably the elderly, I have no doubt in my mind that I-care initiate for the aged will compliment my ministry.”

The Executive Director of I-care initiative, Chinyere Eze, said, “This summit is part of our advocacy programmes to raise consciousness of Nigerians on the plight of older persons and the need for policy action that will bring about a synergy between the larger society and older persons.”

Social development programmes have been built and targeted at youth, women and children, leaving the older persons completely neglected, she said.

Eze said more attention should be paid to intergenerational issues, which she described as the main causes of ageism.

“For real development to take place in any nation there is need for inclusive, access to health and enabling environment for all ages,” she added.

Speaking, the President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Dr J A Okunade, lamented, “The government seems to pay more attention to women and children, while giving less attention to the aged,” adding that the country needed policies to ensure rights.

He appealed to the federal and state governments to ensure pensions were paid regularly.

The summit, with the theme: “Towards an age friendly nation: The need for policy action,” had in attendance the director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and the executive secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, amongst others.