NSCC begins capacity training for stakeholders to mainstream aging in programmes

The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) has started capacity building training for stakeholders from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The Director-General of the Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro, in her address of welcome said the essence of the training was to streamline aging in the programmes and activities of governments and MDAs across the country.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by NSCC and Save the Children.

“At the end of this training, we hope to have a better understanding of aging and older persons mainstreaming in already existing structure, mechanism and programmes in MDA’s.

“It is not that the MDA’s were totally excluded, but now that we have by mandate, the NSCC having the functions of developing, facilitating and initiating programmes for the wellbeing of older persons, it only proper to collaborate.

“So, now, it is going to be a new holistic, robust and focus driven on older person. We have taken the focus to MDA’s that have the statutory mandate on health, data, employment, etc.

“So, we want to build their capacities to understand the issues on how older persons can be and should be integrated in their programmes, structure, mechanism and systems they already had,” Omokaro said.

The NSCC boss said the Centre recognised the fact that, it must partner with MDAs, adding that that is why it is building their capacity.

Speaking, Mr Sa’id Mustapha, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor of Save the Children, said his organisation had been supporting system strengthening for social protection in the country for many years now.

He said that aging was a cross-cutting issue, that a single entity could not do it alone.

“It is crucial to have this meeting so that all relevant stakeholders could come together and see how they can contribute their quota in ensuring the livelihood of the older persons”.

Speaking, Dr Sanjo Fawiran, Deputy Director, Social Development, Budget and National Planning said the training 8s necessary.

“This is because, aging cut across all sectors. There is no body that will not get old and there is no MDAs where people are working and would not become senior citizens later in life”.

In the same vein, Dr Emmanuel Udentre, Head of Department, Human Resources and Administration of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria appreciated Omokaro for the programme.

“However, it is the responsibility of all and sundry to ensure that senior citizens are taken good care of.

” This training will give us the opportunity to rub minds and look at possible areas we can mainstream aging to become part and parcel of what we do,” he said.

NAN reports that the capacity building training brought together all relevant stakeholders from across the country. (NAN)