By Bavoriat Clara
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have strengthened ties to promote and protect the rights of older persons across Nigeria.
This renewed collaboration was the outcome of a high-level engagement during a courtesy visit by the Director General of the NSCC, Mrs. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe, to the headquarters of the NHRC in Abuja.
Mrs. Akinyemi-Obe stressed the importance of both agencies working together to change public perception of ageing, advocating that it should not be seen as a burden but as a dignified stage of life that deserves respect, care, and protection.
She highlighted key areas of cooperation, including joint advocacy for the passage and enforcement of legislation that protects older persons at federal and state levels. Other focus areas include integrating the rights and concerns of older persons into national human rights reports, development frameworks, and public policy planning and implementation.
According to the NSCC Director General, the partnership is a call to action to build an inclusive society that values its elderly population and ensures their voices are not sidelined.In his response, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Tony Ojukwu (SAN), endorsed the creation of a Technical Working Group comprising representatives from both agencies.
The team is expected to design a functional framework that will drive the effective implementation of the partnership’s objectives.
As part of its broader mandate, the NSCC has also established the Continuing Engagement Bureau (CEB) a program aimed at capturing and leveraging the wealth of skills, talents, and experiences of retirees from both the formal and informal sectors.
The CEB connects senior citizens to opportunities for continued meaningful contributions to society through volunteerism or paid engagements.The collaboration is officially tagged: “NSCC and NHRC Strengthen Partnership on Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria.”
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