The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, said the senior citizens will be accorded dignity by giving them a new lease of life in line with the Renewed Hope Mandate.
Dr. Edu stated this at the National Senior Citizen Centre’s (NSCC) maiden programme and services fair in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the federal government is mainstreaming older persons into social protection programs, health, and social care, as well as building senior centers to promote social connections and care.
The Minister disclosed that her ministry was working with its mandate to support the NSCC to evolve multi-purpose cooperatives that would help the indigenous ventures and auxiliary productive activities of older persons within communities.
She said this is to expand the inclusion of more numbers and ensure access to micro-loan schemes and markets.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Center, Dr. Emem Omokaro, said the fair was geared towards sharing NSCC’s innovative and transformative actions aimed at improving the quality of life and well-being of older persons.
The DG expressed worry that older persons experience difficulties such as inadequate pension benefits, lack of access to affordable healthcare, limited social assistance, and the right to assistance and support.
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