Centre Calls For End To Discrimination Against Older Persons

The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) has taken a strong stand against the discrimination faced by older persons in Nigeria, emphasising their right to access healthcare and social care systems without prejudice.

The director general of the NSCC, Emem Omokaro, made this known yesterday in Abuja, stressing that older citizens deserve equal access to all services available to other Nigerians, regardless of age.

Omokaro expressed the centre’s commitment to advocating for their rights and celebrating individuals who have actively worked to remove barriers facing the elderly population.

She stated that the older persons are valuable citizens who still have much to contribute to society.

Omokaro further emphasised one of the major challenges faced by older persons, which is the prevalence of ageism—stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination based solely on age. This stereotype often leads to the misconception that older people have little to offer, greatly limiting their opportunities to contribute to society.

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She stressed that the NSCC is using this opportunity to raise awareness about ageism by showcasing older individuals who have actively broken down these barriers.

She stated that the agency aims to educate the public on how they can support the elderly, whether as individuals, community members, or service providers in sectors like banking, road transportation, or aviation.

Omokaro emphasised the importance of allowing older persons to reach their full potential by tapping into their wealth of experience, expertise, and institutional memory, noting that many older citizens, including retired professionals, academics, and artisans, still have valuable contributions to make. She said by failing to recognise and value their significance, society misses out on their vast reservoir of knowledge and skills.

She noted that the NSCC has been proactive in establishing policies, frameworks, and programmes to support older citizens across the country. One notable initiative is the “Continuing Engagement Program,” which matches retired technocrats, professionals, and artisans with organisations that can benefit from their skills.

She added that the programme also offers opportunities for training, mentorship, and life coaching, enabling older persons to contribute to care and support systems, which, in turn, foster their dignity and well-being.

Omokaro further explained that to support older persons, the NSCC has developed national policy guidelines on geriatric social care, benchmarks for accrediting geriatric facilities, and occupational standards for training caregivers. These initiatives are designed to ensure a skilled workforce capable of providing high-quality care for older persons across the country.

She noted that the NSCC’s efforts represent a significant step toward ending ageism and ensuring that older persons in Nigeria are treated with respect, dignity, and equality.