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International Day of Older Persons: Coalition advocates inclusion of older people in digital world

Sen. Eze Ajoku, President, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) has called for the inclusion of older persons in the digital world.

Ajoku made the call in Abuja on Monday during a march by older people to commemorate the 2021 UN Older Persons Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for this year is: “Digital Equity for all Ages.”

He stressed the need for collective efforts to educate older people in the use of digital gadgets for active participation in the digital economy and socialisation.

“As a coalition, our members and youths and all children have a responsibility to educate and help the inclusion of all older people in the digital world.

 

“My mother is 103 years old and using WhatsApp; she could speak with me to clear her worries over problems and issues.

“Every older person should receive education and inclusion in the digital space,” he said.

Ajoku, who reiterated the commitment of the coalition to ensuring people grow old with dignity, said that was the essence of UN International Day for older people.

According to him, it is about raising consciousness about things that are affecting older people as they age.

“These are elder abuse, stereotyping, neglect, denial of rights and so many other things some of you and I know because of where we come from.”

He explained that Oct. 1 every year is a day to celebrate, honour and show respect to the contributions of older people as individuals to families and the society.

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Ajoku wondered why older people in Nigeria suffer exclusion from developmental plans such as the National Health Insurance Scheme coverage, among others.

“No social or economic security, there is elders abuse, stereotyping, no legal backing for their rights and privileges.

 

“Indeed, the state of rural older people are very pitiable and hopeless,“ he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the coalition giving older people legal support which, he pointed out, led it to sponsor the passage of the Older Persons Rights and Privileges Bill.

The coalition boss, who extolled the virtues of President Muhammadu Buhari, said he was elder-friendly and committed to the welfare of older people.

Speaking, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, Vice President of the coalition said that the group would continue to extend hands of fellowship to all older people in the country.

Pastor Victoria Onu, Secretary General of the coalition, emphasized the need for care and love for older people, especially in the rural areas.

Onu said that many of the older people in the rural areas suffered abandonment and poverty more and must be cared for.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the march and socialization is one the activities to mark the UN older persons day slated for Oct. 1 of every year.

NAN also recalls that on Dec. 14 1990 the UN General Assembly, by resolution 45/106, designated Oct. 1 the International Day of Older Persons.

This was preceded by initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing which was adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing.

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The initiative was endorsed later in 1982 by the UN General Assembly. (NAN)

Monday Ashibogwu

Monday Michaels Ashibogwu is Editor-In-Chief of QUICK NEWS AFRICA, one of Nigeria's leading online news service.

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