The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the state governments to adopt the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Act 2017 in order to effectively implement the law and provide the needed technical and other support to the older persons in the country.
The Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, SAN who stated this at a Global Consultation Fora, observed that greater challenges still lie ahead in terms of implementation of the NSCC Act and other related legal frameworks unless the various state governments take proactive steps to have the Senior Citizens Centre Act adopted and implemented in their respective states.
Against this backdrop, he disclosed that the Commission is already collaborating with the NSCC and other stakeholders to mobilize subnational advocacy within States to deliver high level policy shifts towards the domestication of the National Senior Citizens Centre Act 2017 and the National Policy on Ageing.
According to Ojukwu, there is also a need for the integration of the rights, interests and challenges of older persons into government social investment programmes to address vulnerabilities and the development of legal, policy and institutional frameworks to crystallise a unified approach by the Government of Nigeria.
The Chief Human Rights Officer in Nigeria recalled that in 2017 the National Assembly of Nigeria passed a landmark legislation establishing the NSCC with the mandate to identify needs of senior citizens and to cater for them in varied domains.
“This intervention on the plights of the older persons focuses on their health, income security, trainings and education, capacity enhancement and the development of data system on senior citizens which will enable their dignity, security, independence, care and well-being”, the Executive Secretary said.
The NHRC Boss, who was addressing the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (UN OEWGA) and UN HRC, stated that with the existence of NSCC as a dedicated institution, it has embarked on a multi-sectorial and multi-stakeholder processes leading to the adoption of a 10 year strategic plan (2021-2031).
The National Policy on Ageing, which has been adopted by the Federal Executive Council, the Executive Secretary noted, is a specialised policy aimed at addressing the special needs of this vulnerable group and harnessing opportunities in the increasing number of older persons in Nigeria.
“This of course came about as a result of intense lobbying from the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Civil Society and other stakeholders”, he added.
