Theme: “Celebrating Our Senior Citizens – The Time to Care is Now”
Introduction:
The Kogi State Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Ageing (KG-SCFOA) convened an interactive and participatory session on Saturday, 5th October, 2024, to commemorate the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s event in Kogi State, with the theme “Celebrating Our Senior Citizens – The Time to Care is Now,” brought together key stakeholders, advocates, and members of the senior citizens community to discuss and strategize on the care and support of older citizens in Kogi State.
Presentations and Discussions
Four esteemed members of KG-SCFOA delivered insightful presentations that highlighted the urgent need to institutionalize care and support for senior citizens in Kogi State. Their discussions focused on several key initiatives:
1. Appointment and Inauguration of Senior Citizens Agency Officers:
The establishment of a dedicated agency to oversee the welfare of senior citizens in Kogi State was emphasized. The participants called for the prompt appointment and inauguration of relevant officers to ensure effective management and execution of policies aimed at supporting the old and aged.
2. Utilization of Local Government Autonomy:
Stakeholders advocated for the leveraging of local government autonomy to enhance resources and support systems for senior citizens majority of whom resides at the grassroots, ensuring that care initiatives are tailored to local needs.
3. Mobile Clinics for Senior Citizens:
The introduction of mobile clinics was proposed to provide accessible healthcare services to elderly individuals, particularly in remote areas, ensuring that they receive the medical attention they require.
4. Mapping of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs):
Participants discussed the importance of mapping CSOs working on ageing issues to foster collaboration and data collection on the elderly population, which is crucial for informed policy-making.
5. Health Insurance for the Aged:
The need for a comprehensive health insurance scheme specifically for senior citizens was underscored, as it is vital for their financial security and access to healthcare.
6. According priority attention to Senior Citizens
Public institutions and other public places eg, Banks, hospitals, queues, bus stops etc, should give priority attention to the presence of senior citizens whenever their is large gatherings in line with the African culture of according respect to elders
Resolutions
The forum reached a consensus on several resolutions aimed at advocating for the rights and welfare of older citizens in Kogi State:
Advocacy Visits to the Executive Governor:
The KG-SCFOA will undertake advocacy visits to the Executive Governor of Kogi State to present the collective needs of senior citizens and seek his attention and support.
Implementation of the Senior Citizens Agency Law:
A top priority is the implementation and operationalization of the Kogi State Agency for Social Security and Protection of Older Citizens Law, which was passed and assented to several years ago but has yet to be operationalized.
Increase in Gratuity Payments:
In light of the ongoing economic challenges faced by many, we commend the Kogi State Government for the regular payment of Pensions to retirees, and called for a modest increase in the payment of pensioners’ gratuity to alleviate the financial burdens on our elderly population.
Conclusion
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to prioritize the needs of older citizens and to work collaboratively towards creating a supportive environment for them. As we celebrate our senior citizens, we reaffirm that the time to care is indeed now. The voices of our elders matter, and their dignity, health, and well-being must remain at the forefront of our collective efforts.
The executive members of Kogi State Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Ageing (KG-SCFOA), made of the two Co-Chairs and the Vice Chairs, expressed its appreciation to Patrons, individuals, MDAs and organizations that supported the commemoration of this maiden edition of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) in Kogi State.
Together, let us advocate for a future where every senior citizen in Kogi State is valued, respected, and cared for.
Signed:
High Chief Stephen Salawu
Co -Chair 1, KG-SCFOA
Kogi State.