A group begs Buhari to sign a bill on the rights, privileges of the elderly.

GRAF, the Graceful Ageing Fellowship, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Bill on the Rights and Privileges of Older Persons.

Senator Dr. Eze Ajoku, International Coordinator of GRAF, made the appeal in Abuja on Saturday during the GRAF’s 13th anniversary with the theme “Wholesome Living, The Key to Graceful Longevity.”

According to him, the President’s assent to the bill will provide the needed socioeconomic and psychological protection of Nigerian older people’s rights and privileges, a legacy he says no one can take away from him and his ruling party at this time.

“As we celebrate today, we recall that seven years ago, by the grace of God, we gave birth to a Coalition on Ageing.” The Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPINT) has made significant contributions to ageing today, working with government to develop the National Policy on Ageing, facilitating the establishment of the National Senior Citizen Centre with government, and today producing the first ever Bill on the Rights and Privileges of Older Persons in Nigeria, which is awaiting Presidential assent.

“Let me take this opportunity, on behalf of over 14.9 million Nigerian seniors, to implore Mr. President to sign the Older Persons Rights and Privileges Bill.”

“Mr. President has done well, commendably well, by signing the Senior Citizens Center Act in 2017 and inaugurating its Board in 2021, and the Federal Executive Council has also approved the National Policy on Aging under his leadership.” Both were influenced by the Nigerian Coalition of Societies for the Rights of the Elderly (COSROPIN).

“We at COSROPIN are collaborating with other stakeholders to provide Health Insurance to Nigerian Senior Citizens.” COSROPIN is now a strategic partner with the federal government on issues relating to the well-being, welfare, gignity, and protection of Nigerian seniors. GRAF deserves credit.”

He also urged younger civil servants and politicians to support the signing of the Older Persons Bill, recognizing that they, too, will retire and become elderly.

“A proverb states, ‘A child who breaks the seat exclusively reserved for the elderly will have nothing to sit on when he grows old.’ This Bill will benefit everyone in the long run.

“We believe that if there is any reason for the delay in signing the Older Person’s Bill up to this point, it can be amended by returning it to the National Assembly, which will do the necessary and return it to the President for his assent,” he added.

Ajoku urged the federal government to provide recreational facilities and opportunities for the elderly. He also urged the FCT Minister to provide play areas for senior citizens similar to those found at Jabi Lake in Abuja.

“As senior citizens, we find it difficult to locate a playground for older people’s football games and other sporting events.” The state government should follow in the footsteps of states such as Ekiti in providing sports facilities for its senior citizens. GRAF activities should be replicated in a number of states to promote the healthy, physical, mental, and spiritual aging of older people. “We demand that older people be included in National Sporting Plans and Initiatives,” he said.

Dr. Dayyabah Shaibu, Country Director, Reconnect Health Development Initiative, advised the elderly to focus on the positives and to always smile and be happy, as well as to prioritize their mental health, in her keynote address titled “No spring chicken.”

Salihu Dembos, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, was the special guest of honor and spoke at the event. Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Chairman of GRAF, was also present.