Ageing policy: UN pledges support to Nigeria

The United Nations (UN) on Monday pledged to support Nigeria on implementing its ageing policy.

Mr Oleg Serezhin of the Technical Cooperation Unit, Division for Social Policy and Development of Economic and Social Affairs, UN, said that the global body was committed to bringing its resources to support Nigeria on ageing.

He said this during the UN Department of Social Affairs scooping visit to Nigeria on capacity support to Ageing at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Abuja.

According to Serezhin, the visit is to ascertain what the issues in ageing in Nigeria are and the way forward.
“The UN can assist and also bring experience and resources to support ageing issues in Nigeria,” he said, adding that the next step will flow from the recommendations from this current investigation.

Ms Rosemary Lame, Senior Social Affairs Officer (UNDESA), said that the UN would use the visit to find out the situation in Nigeria regarding ageing policy and come up with a plan of action.

Lame, who underscored the UN interventions and initiatives, said that the Sustainable Development Goals had opened the dialogue which had given room to lots of synergies.

She noted that there was a joint initiative of the government and civil society groups years ago with a draft policy made for various reasons that had been active.

“With the adoption of the SDG’s long life approach to ageing there is a momentum that no one is left behind.

“There are lots of cross-cutting issues and we are looking forward to hearing from everyone and look at the way forward,” the UN official said.

Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, said the visit of the UN team was another milestone for Nigeria in establishing synergy for the care of ageing population in the society.

She underscored the need for experts to collaborate and bridge the gaps, and also expressed pleasure on the interest shown by UN providing support in capacity building.

According to her, ageing requires a multi-sectoral approach, adding that Nigeria has through inter-sectoral synergy, MDAs, CSOs, media and private sectors have mainstreamed ageing into their programmes.

The permanent secretary also noted that the change in demographic pattern globally had reduced mortality rate and migration trends which contributed to healthy ageing, improved health and hygiene, among others.

She also said that all levels of Government are making sure that the ageing population was not left out in their programmes.

“The country’s policy on ageing is outdated and needs review, but we have mapped out age specific programmes into con-sectoral policies.

“We are seeking ways to get the accurate data of older persons and also capacity building on care givers and appropriate standard for institutions.

“A lot needs to be done in terms of knowledge, capacity and geriatrics for the care of the elderly to be achieved.

“We are looking forward to seeing a change through the collaboration and also use the medium to retreat our commitment to ensuring healthy ageing,” she said.

Dr Emem Omokaro, the Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, facilitator of the UN Scooping visit to Nigeria, said the visit would enhance the visibility of ageing and older persons not only at the highest levels of government but also at the highest level of UN agencies in Nigeria engaged in human development programmes.

“We hope that UNDESA will influence a joint initiative on ageing by UN agencies, UNFPA, ILO, WHO and UNDP, among others.

“We will continue to partner with UNDESA to realise effective capacity development, skills and knowledge utility to overhaul attitudes and systems towards efficient sustainable integration of older persons as right holders in development in Nigeria and Africa,” she said.