Older Persons Day: FG distributes rice, wrappers to senior citizens in Abuja

As the world rounds off activities to mark the 2020 International Day of Older Persoms, the Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja distributed 200 bags of rice and 200 pieces of wrapper to some senior citizens.
Also shared to the old people were 500 sachets of tomatoes sauce, 500 pieces of washing soaps, among other items.
Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, disclosed this in a key note address at a ceremony to mark the day.
She said that the gesture was in continuation of govenment’s efforts toward a better life for the older persons.
Farouq said that this year’s event was expected to hold on Oct. 1, 2020 with the theme: “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?”.
“However, due to coincidence with the Independence Day Celebration, the event was brought forward to this day to ensure full participation of our senior citizens.
“The International Day of Older Persons is a day to stand against ageism and to promote the development of a society that is hospitable to people of all ages.
“The elderly are the world’s fastest growing population group, with those 60 years or older constituting one person in every 10.
“The figure is expected to rise to one person in five by the middle of the century,” Farouq said.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the ministry was doing it best to ensure that the health of older persons was improved according to UN specifications.
“The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Health, is committed to establishing Regional Centres for Older Persons to take care of their wellbeing,” he said.
NAN reports that Ehanire was represented by Dr Saidu Ahmed, National Coordinator in charge of Healthcare for Older Persons in the ministry.
Also speaking, Mrs Hauwa Jibril, Founder, ‘Pause Old People’s Home, Abuja’, congratulated the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for achieving a lot within a short period, especially at the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During the pandemic, the ministry distributed palliatives to people, including the older persons. Many other stakeholders have also contributed to the well being of senior citizens.
“It is regrettable to note that older persons in Nigeria are suffering from stigmatisation and neglect. Some of them are called witches and wizards.
“I will like to call on governments at all levels to subsidise their drugs, healthcare and transportation. They should be provided with ambulances, wheel chairs and house rents to support them and make life easy.
“Let’s continue to celebrate our older ones and make them happy,” Jibril stressed. (NAN)


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