IDOP: Senior citizens centre hails Buhari on inclusive digital economy

The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Thursday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for putting policies in place to ensure that older persons and vulnerable groups are protected in Nigeria.

In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja and signed by Head, Public Affairs, Media and Communications, Omini Oden, Director General of NSCC, Dr. Emem Omokaro, said without a deliberate policy, legal, capacity development frameworks and mechanisms to ensure inclusive multi-networks, the illiterate, the poor, especially older persons in rural and remote locations, would be left behind in all aspects of life.

The statement reads in part: “The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), on this auspicious day, acknowledges Senior Citizens in Nigeria as invaluable resource base and positive force for national development across sectors of the nation’s economy.

“Director General of NSCC, Dr. Emem Omokaro in commemorating the day, expressed optimism that Nigeria is embracing a comprehensive vision that protects the human rights of older persons, which entails universal access to services, including digital technology eco-system for active and equal participation in governance, enjoyment of benefits and economic growth opportunities.

“She applauds President Buhari for the launch of an Inclusive Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020 to 2030, which inclusive vision will transform Nigeria into a leading digital economy that will provide quality life for all as well as build a nation where digital innovation and entrepreneurship will be deployed to create value for all.

“The eight strategic pillars of the policy aligns with the National Senior Citizens Centre Act 2017 and strategic objectives of the National Policy on Ageing, which prescribes training needs including digital literacy, enhanced capacities of senior citizens, creating innovative income initiatives and work schemes, health, sports, recreation and building data base for senior citizens in Nigeria.

“In line with this year’s theme, which is ‘Digital Equity for All Ages’, digital technologies which, by the speed of light, continue to liberate face to face interactions and to create on-line sources, means and platforms for transactions and social connections in all aspects of life, should be universally accessed. This includes e-health care-doctors on call; e-commerce, online shopping, online banking, online working, help-call lines; e-learning, e-conferences, vital registration portals among others with unfettered transformative impact.”