The president, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older People in Nigeria (COSROPIN), Senator Eze Ajoku, on Friday, urged the federal government to establish a social security policy for older people in the society.
Ajoku, who made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja noted that only improved social security for senior citizens would guarantee a healthier and longer life for them.
He said better welfare for older people was key in preventing morbidity and mortality of the ageing community.
According to him, some of the older people either don’t have children or have been abandoned by their own people thereby having no care which leads to sickness and death.
Ajoku said social security policies like monthly stipends by government would engender rehabilitation and hope for the older people.
He condemned the attitude of some stakeholders to the welfare of older people, stressing that old age was inevitable.
“Government at all levels especially local government ought to profile every older person ward by ward and put them in pay role specifically for accessible healthcare,” he said.
The senator, who described older people as graceful people, said that there was the need for Nigerians to show them unconditional love and care, challenging children families and stake holders to use the opportunity of the Valentine’s Day to take some older person out or give them gifts.
“Let 2020 Valentine’s Day be celebrated with older persons, Love is denied older persons across the board.”
Ajoku urged the federal government to emulate the welfare module for older people in other climes like Europe and America where older people receive adequate care and reiterated calls for the creation of older people commission.
