Some senior citizens resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have commended President Buhari for approving every Oct. 5 as National Day for Senior Citizens.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the annual commemoration would draw local and international attention to the welfare of the nation’s senior citizens.
One of the respondents, Philomina Eze, 69 who resides in Kado Estate, said Buhari’s action was a welcome development.
“I Thank Buhari for remembering us to the point of setting aside a day to celebrate us. May God bless him and the media too”, Eze said.
She expressed satisfaction on the biometric registration and issuance of ID cards to senior citizens, and saying it would facilitate easy access to health and social service.
She urged the Federal Government to consider paying special allowance to senior citizens to ameliorate the financial hardship some of them were going through.
“This is because, some of us have retired from active services and are staying in Old People’s Home.’’
Similarly, Mrs Mercy Ezeji, 70, a retired director from ministry of works, said it would be good if government would provide some social benefits to senior citizens.
“It is a good thing to celebrate us on Oct. 5, every year provided they will celebrate us and do good things to us”, she said.
Alhaji Idris Abdulaziz, a 74-year old farmer in Nyanya lauded Buhari for the gesture.
He also commendedDr Emem Omokaro, the Director General of National Senior Citizens Centre, who, he said played a major role in Buhari’s declaration.
“May Allah bless Buhari and give him long life to also enjoy the celebration that he had instituted. We appreciate him so well,’’ he said.
Similarly, Mrs Caroline Abel, the Secretary of Amazing Grace Foundation Old People’s Home in Kado, commended Buhari and Omokaro for giving hope to senior citizens.
“Putting aside Oct. 5 every year as National Day for Senior Citizens is a welcomed development. It will create something that will make Nigerians remember old people.
“I also want the Federal Government to make a law that will prohibit people from treating old people as witches and wizard and killers of their destinies.
`This is bad as every young person today will become old tomorrow,” Abel said
.
On the registration and issuance of ID cards to senior citizens, Abel said it was a novel idea.
“This will make the government to have a specific focus on them and provide for them services that will give them a sense of inclusion,’’ Abel said.
Similarly, Mr Pius John, who works at the Old People’s Home in Kado, said he would be happy if Senior Citizens were registered and issued ID cards.
He said that it would help in developing a system which create access medical and social services for old people.
“I also believe that Oct.5 as National Day for Senior Citizens in Nigeria would make them happy and even help them to live longer,” he said.
NAN reports that Buhari recently approved Oct. 5 every year as the National Day for the celebration of Senior Citizens in the country.
The request for approval was presented by Omokaro and Supported by Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. (NAN)
