Connect with us

News

FG Promises Harnessing Potential of Aging Population

Published

on

FG Promises Harnessing Potential of Aging Population

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has promised harnessing the potential of an aging population, assuring of its commitment to improve the quality of life and well being of Nigerians.

The assurance was given on Tuesday by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, while delivering an address at the International Day of Older Persons ceremony at the UN House in Abuja.

Speaking at the event with the theme: “Fulfilling the promise of the universal declaration of human rights for older persons across generations,” which was organised by the UN and the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), Edu commended the establishment of the NSCC by the NSCC Act 2017 to promote mainstreaming of older persons in the delivery of positive outcomes for the aged.

She assured of President Bola Tinubu’s move to reposition the ministry demonstrated the government’s political will to develop mechanisms and achieve the desired goals.

Edu said such would ensure sustainable systems to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of Nigerans, as well as progressively lift 133 million Nigerians out of poverty.

She noted that: “The NSCC remains the veritable agency to consolidate opportunities for the older population, in partnership with the various Ministries, Department and Agencies through multi-sectoral coordination.

Edu promised that: “The present administration will ensure adequate support; persuasion of the state governments to domesticate the NSCC Act , VAPP Act, Persons with Disability Act and National Health Authority Act.

“The present administration will focus on harnessing the potential of an aging population, combat ageism and negative stereotypes and close the gaps and inconsistencies in data.

She added that the administration would focus on research, human capital development and continue to create systems capable of supporting older persons, including age friendly environments, universal health coverage and long term care systems.

On his part, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Matthias Schmale, reassured of UN’s support for Nigeria in the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons.

Schmale commended the event for being tailored to provide opportunity for reflection on the impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on the protection of the rights of older persons.

He said: “It is my sincere hope that today’s dialogue will allow for reflections on effective promotion and protection of older persons in Nigeria, focusing on their contributions throughout their life, for the knowledge and expertise they can pass on to younger generations.

“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the UN in Nigeria is committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts towards enhancing the promotion and protection of the rights of older persons.

“Especially, older persons living in vulnerable situations and making the promise of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights a reality for all Nigerians.”

The Director-General of NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro, identified universally declared rights of older persons to include right to life, liberty, and security of person, freedom from discrimination, abuse, violence and torture, right to work and education; and right to participate in cultural, social, and political life of their country and right to economic empowerment, access to justice, disability and age friendly environment.

Omokaro said: “Today, we wish to present highlights of IE’s Report and Nigeria’s response, and have a multi-sectoral panel of discussants to make inputs.

“The outcomes we hope will enhance understanding of opportunities and challenges of older persons.

“(To) strengthen partnerships and technical support, increased aging mainstreaming in multi-sector plans, the SDGs, equity and solidarity across generations”

FG Promises Harnessing Potential of Aging Population

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Modern market: I’ve fulfilled campaign promises to Ngalda community – Buni

Published

on

Modern market: I’ve fulfilled campaign promises to Ngalda community – Buni

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Tuesday, said he has fulfilled his campaign promises to the good people of Ngalda community in Fika Local Government Area of the state following the inauguration of the newly reconstructed modern market in the community.

Buni stated that this in Ngalda community during the inauguration of the ultra modern market reconstructed by his administration to boost economic activities, create jobs for youths as well as boost the revenue of the state.

He stated that the facility which was completed in 10 months has all the modern equipment that any modern market ought to have to serve the economic requirement for businesses and trade to thrive seamlessly.

He said that by inaugurating the facility, he had fulfilled the campaign promises made to the good people of Ngalda to reconstruct the market, equip it with modern facilities as well as address the challenge of poor drainage resulting in perennial flooding in the community.

The inauguration of Ngalda Modern Market and concrete drainage is part of our legacy projects in fulfilment of our (campaign) promises to the good people of Ngalda and its environs.

This project has 272 shops of different sizes, administrative block, mosque, refuse collection point, parameter fence, pavement, drainage, boreholes, fire service station, police outpost, microfinance bank, and a 2.98 kilometer drainage is being constructed to tackle the perennial flooding being experienced in the town.’

Buni said that the market is one of the most thriving markets in the state that enjoyed patronage from across the country with the huge turnover that contributed to the state’s economy.

According to him, the new modern market will further increase economic activities in the area, creates job and income generation to the people and also promote post insurgency economic recovery programme of his administration.

He urged the people to take ownership of the market by ensuring its cleanliness for maximum benefits and good utilisation of the facility for the government to have value for the money expended on the project.

He further urged the market authorities to take all necessary steps to prevent leakages in the revenue collection drive and ensure that all revenue generated are remitted to government coffers to be used as part of funds to strengthen development in the state.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to Yobe State that had enabled the state to execute projects for the benefit of the people.

In conclusion, Buni, named the new Ngalda market after Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, saying that the market would now be called Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya Modern Market.’’ In his remarks, Yahaya thanked Buni for executing alegacy and well constructed project’’, noting that the market would impact the economy of Yobe and Gombe States and Nigeria at large.

In his remarks, Hon. Kaigama Umar Yunusari, the Yobe State Commissioner of Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Solid Minerals said that the state government under Buni’s leadership, since 2019, had established nine ultra modern markets across the state with six completed while three were ongoing.

Yunusari while commending Gov. Buni for the initiative aimed at boosting economic activities, job and wealth creation for the people, stated that the modern markets have become a model for other states.

Modern market: I’ve fulfilled campaign promises to Ngalda community – Buni

Continue Reading

News

Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi

Published

on

Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi

By: Zagazola Makama

Three men have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal weapons dealings in Bauchi State, security sources said.

The suspects, identified as Peter Pama and Saleh Monday, both of Iburu, and Sunday Makama of Kasuwan Magani, were apprehended on Feb. 17 following intelligence on illicit arms activities.

Zagazola gathered that one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and one fabricated pump-action gun from the suspects.

Investigations into the case are ongoing as security agencies work to determine the full extent of the arms network.

Security forced arrested three over illegal arms dealings in Bauchi

Continue Reading

News

Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle

Published

on

Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle

By: Zagazola Makama

Joint troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have repelled an armed bandit attack in Gida Soda Village, Katsina State, neutralising two attackers and recovering a motorcycle, security sources said.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 12:45 a.m. on Feb. 17 when suspected bandits stormed the village. Troops, acting promptly in coordination with local police and Civil Watch Patrol Teams, engaged the attackers in an intense gunfight, forcing the criminals to flee.

During the operation, two of the bandits were neutralised, and a Boxer-brand motorcycle belonging to the group was recovered.

Tragically, one resident, Hassana Muhammad, 30, was reportedly fatally shot during the attack. She was rushed to Dansoda Hospital, where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

Sources said efforts to track fleeing bandits and secure the area are ongoing.

Joint troops repel bandit attack in Katsina, neutralise two and recover motorcycle

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights