The National Senior Citizen Centre (NSCC) has appealed to state governments to evolve state policy on the elderly.
The centre’s Director-General, Dr Emem Omokaro made the plea during a visit to the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu-Mera in his palace in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
NSCC is a statutory agency established by the National Senior Citizens Act of the National Assembly to cater for the needs of the ageing and old people in Nigeria. The Act was signed into law recently by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The visit was part of familiarisation tours to traditional institutions to acquaint them with the activities of the centre and seek their support, cooperation and blessings.
The D-G appealed to the Emir to use his royal position to influence the Kebbi State Government to domesticate the National Senior Citizens Centre Act through the State Assembly.
“We hope that the emirate under your leadership will help us influence the government to domesticate the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, by giving it to the State Assembly. I am sure they will be able to bring in the entire cultural context to make it Kebbi State-owned and also evolve a state policy on ageing,” she said.
She observed that the sustainability of the programme depended on policy, plan and strategy as well as the political will to properly integrate the older people into the scheme.
Omokaro said they came to the palace to seek royal blessings and convey good news, “that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, we have a caring President, Muhammadu Buhari, who signed National Senior Citizens Act into law and established the National Senior Citizens Centre.
“NSCC is a focal agency for ageing and issues of older people. There is also the National Policy on Ageing, which was approved by the National Executive Council. So, for the first time in this country, we have a policy framework, a legal framework and a focal agency to take care of the challenges of older people.