The Nigerian government approved the National Policy on Ageing for Older Persons in Nigeria through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.
This was disclosed by Mrs. Nneka Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
She added that the policy covers older adults in urban and rural environments and also IDPs.
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“It covers the intersecting spectrum of issues and opportunities for older women and men in urban and rural settings, older persons living with disabilities, older migrants and internally displaced older persons.
“It also covers poor older persons and older persons that are full of vigor contributing to the progress of families, communities, and the larger society,” she said.
The Minister disclosed during the Federal Executive Council Meeting on Wednesday that approval was needed to secure the lives of older Nigerians in the country.
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“We seek approval for the Ageing and Older Persons policy to guarantee an improved quality of life for senior citizens in Nigeria,” she said.
“To also strengthen the traditional support systems for them, to provide the framework for the regulatory mechanism on aging issues, to guarantee adequate and sustainable income, security and healthy aging
“In addition, to ensure that the fundamental human rights of older persons are upheld and protected and to develop a functional data management system for effective research, planning, monitoring and evaluation of aging programming,” Farouq added.
In case you missed it: Nairametrics reported last month that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the expansion of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).