The minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina, has stated that the federal government is currently working on a national policy on aging which is expected to drive the mainstreaming of issues of older persons in the country.
Maina, who stated this at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday as part of activates line up to celebrate the Independence Day, also made a case for the country’s older citizens to be granted access to efficient health care services.?
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According to her, the growing number of old persons all over the world which is projected to hit two billion in the next 50 years, would pose a great challenge to Africa and Nigeria as a country.?
The implication being that the continent’s older population, aged 60years and above, will increase six folds in five decades.
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?“Today, one of every 10 people is 60 and above and by 2050, one out of every five people will be an older person which would equal one third of the people in the world at the time,” she added.
The minister stated that the federal government’s immediate focus would be on policy issues and legislation that would guarantee the provision of specialised services and protection for older persons in the society because older persons as a social category, have special needs as well as socio-economic and health challenges requiring specialised attention and treatment.
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She further stated that the ministry would engage educated old people who would contribute resourcefully to the concrete policies, plans and legislation that would chart a new course for older persons in Nigeria.