By Albert Akota
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Betta Edu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment and resolve to strengthen the protection of the rights of older persons in line with the Universal Declaration of human rights.
She disclosed this in Abuja yesterday as Nigerians joined the rest of the global world to celebrate the 2023 International Day of Older Persons.
According to her, the implementation of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) innovative, transformative and multi-sectoral programs and services designed to impact positively on quality of life and wellbeing of Senior citizens especially in rural and hard to reach places will be accelerated.
Dr Edu called on government and concerned stakeholders to reflect on the 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its impact on the protection of the rights of older persons.
In her welcome address, the DG National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Dr. Emem Omakaro stated that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was the first document to outline fundamental human rights that should be protected universally.
She, however, noted that the existing norms and procedures have become fragmented and their limitations have resulted in a failure to adequately recognize and protect the human rights of older people at the international level.
