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Independence: senior citizens urge FG to address their challenges

Some senior citizens in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the Federal Government to address challenges facing retired persons by making provision for their deteriorating health, malnutrition, shelter and fear among others.

They made the call in  separate interviews on Sunday  in Abuja, listing some of the challenges as depression, senility, isolation, boredom, non-productivity, financial incapacity and security.

They urged the government to address those challenges in the spirit of independence, adding that addressing them would positively influence their well-being.

They were speaking against the backdrop of Nigeria’s forthcoming 59th independence anniversary on Oct. 1.

Mr Martins Mailafia, a 76-year-old, retired Principal recalled that in the past, the elderly were respected and revered.

“Many preindustrial societies observed gerontocracy, a type of social structure wherein the power was held by a society’s oldest members,” he said.

Mailafia said in some countries today, the elderly still have influence and power and their vast knowledge was respected and utilised.

“Nigeria is 59, the elderly do not have influence to correct and address the situation in the nation that can be respected.

“Politicians have taken over and they now direct the affairs of the nation, which is not too good for the country.

“Reverence for the elderly is still a part of some cultures, but it has changed in Nigeria because of social factors,” he said.

He urged the government not to forget that the elderly can still play a major role in the betterment of the nation.

He added that old age was a stage of development that will continue to be portrayed as a social problem, particularly in our societies, due to the numerous issues associated with ageing.

Mrs Florence Oyekachi, a retired Nurse, said that successive governments have sought to promote the wellbeing of the elderly by partnering with both local and international bodies to implement policies, programmes and measures to ensure the welfare of the elderly.

“But, unfortunately senior ctizens in Nigeria are still struggling to survive. Nigeria is 59 what structure do we have in place for our senior citizens?

“ We worked very hard to get this Nation at 59, we were part of the struggles but, today when I look around nothing has changed much, we keep making so many polices that we do not implement,” he said.

Oyekachi said that the senior citizens were not a burden to the government but an asset to all Nigerians, saying that their wisdom and experience are still needed.

“I am calling for an inclusive senior citizens in Nigeria that is based on a positive attitude towards elderly and recognition for the value of the senior citizens.”

Brig-Gen. Moses Adewoye, a retired Army Officer, said that the government make their budget, building their roads but there was no provision for the senior citizens.

“Did you say Nigeria will be 59 years old? Yet it has no major plans for its senior citizens.

“ I retired 22 years ago as a Brig-Gen. my pension is still the same and nothing has changed, people that are Brig-Gen. today received so much more and they are benefiting from our foundation.

“ There have not been any positive change yet we sing the Labour of our Hero’s Passed shall never be in vein all the time. But politicians do not see it as important to address our little problems,” he said.

Adewoye said that the government was aware of the challenges faced by the senior citizens in the country but were reluctant to address them.

“They think they will remain young forever,” he said.

He added that it was time for the government to help and assist the senior citizens with living facilities and prompt payment of their allowance.

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