Senator Eze Ajoku, the President, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older People in Nigeria (COSROPIN), on Thursday, called for the creation of Old Peoples’ Centres in all the 774 local governments of the country.
He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that such centres were necessary to guarantee the social and welfare of senior citizens in the country.
He explained that the plight of older people, especially in rural areas, could only be addressed with regular care through the centres.
He added that “many of the older people either have no source of livelihood or abandoned by their supposed caregivers, therefore old peoples’ centres can fill that gap.”
The COSROPIN boss, who condemned the discriminatory attitude of some Nigerians toward old people, called for a national policy for the advancement of senior citizens.
He described old age as an inevitable phase in life which must be appreciated as a blessing by all, irrespective of gender, tribe or religion.
The senator said it was ideal for Nigerians to begin to not only plan for old age but to restore the dignity and hope for old people.
He commended senior citizens for their role in nation-building, saying it was imperative for Nigerians to reciprocate the sacrifice.
(NAN)