Elder financial exploitation, according to Senator Eze Ajoku, President of the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), occurs when governments at all levels refuse to pay pensions to its senior citizens and retirees.
Ajoku bemoaned the fact that various forms of abuse are meted out to the elderly in society without any punitive measures being taken against the perpetrators on Thursday in Abuja during the observance of the United Nations World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023.
He emphasized the necessity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the Older Persons Rights and Privilege Bill in order to ensure the preservation of the the rights of the elderly in the society.
According to him, the Bill seeks to confer privileges and benefits on older persons to enhance their quality of life as well as address the social and economic challenges, triggered by ageing and the need for the government to formulate policies that would incorporate the elderly.
Recalled that the Older Persons Rights and Privilege Bill 2019 was passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly and transmitted to then President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent, however, he did not sign it before leaving office.
Ajoku, a former Nigerian senator, who represented Imo East Senatorial District in the Senate, further urged the government to treat older persons as a class of vulnerable people, calling for the provision of monthly social security stipends, free medical care, older person’s homes in the country.
He noted that these measures would go a long way in improving the quality of life for the older persons in Nigeria.
Commenting on the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Addressing Gender-based Violence in Older Age–Policy, Law and Evidence-based Responses,” he said the theme recognised the unique challenges faced by older persons, particularly older women in relation to gender-based violence as well as highlighted the need for comprehensive policies, legal frameworks and evidence-based approaches to addressing these issues.
In his address, Dr.Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said the efforts of the Ministry led to the establishment of the National Senior Citizens Centre and the approval of the National Policy on Ageing by the Federal Government.
Sani-Gwarzo represented by Mr. Joseph Dzunguse, Focal Person for Older Persons in the Ministry, commended Senator Eze Ajoku and COSROPIN for working relentlessly to protect the rights, privileges and dignity of olders persons in Nigeria.
He therefore, pledged the ministry’s partnership with COSROPIN in ensuring that older persons in Nigeria live a happy, healthy and productive life.
In his remarks, the Director General of Legal Aid Council, Abubakar Aliyu, said the Council provides free legal services for all Nigerians, including the older persons.
Aliyu represented by Mr. Victor Labesa, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Legal Aid Council, tasked the older persons to explore the services of the Council to seek redress whenever their rights are violated.
It would be recalled that the United Nations World Elder Abuse Awareness is observed annually on June 15th, to shed light on the global issue of elder abuse and promote the rights and well-being of the older persons in the society.
