By Douglass Ahiaba.
President Muhammadu Buhari led federal Government has declared October 5th of every year as the day for the celebration of the Nation’s senior citizens.
The President who was represented by the minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this during the first Presidential summit on the ageing and awards organised by the federal ministry of Humanitarian affairs ,disaster management and Social Development in collaboration with the national senior citizens centre (NSCC) with the Theme, “Building Inter -Generational Synergies for Inclusive, Cohesive and Sustainable Communities at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on Friday 17th December, 2021.
The President in his remarks applauded the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development with the National Citizens Center (NSCC) for working assiduously towards ensuring that senior citizens in the country were giving the due recognition and support .
The president further disclosed that there would be a register for all the senior citizens in the country and if possible identification cards (ID) will be issued for easy identification and disbursement of packages and stipend for them.
Speaking earlier, the minister of Humanitarian affairs, Disaster management and social Development ,Hajia Sadiya Faruoq commended president Muhammad Buhari for his sincere concern for the senior citizens in the country, saying that the first Presidential summit on the ageing (senior citizens )and award was a testimony of president Muhammad Buhari’ commitment to the welfare of the nation’s senior citizens.
She commended the Director General,national citizens centre,Mrs MM Omokaro for partnering with the ministry of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development for making sure that the senior citizens were given due attention.
Also speaking, the Special adviser to the president on Humanitarian affairs, honourable Musa Bungudu hailed president Muhammad Buhari led administration for organising the 1st Presidential summit for senior citizens,saying that this speak volume of the president’s commitment and concern for the ageing in the country, even as he prayed for the continuity and sustainability of the summit annually.
He appealed to the senior citizens to offer their assistances in whatever way to the community, particularly those who have experience in teaching profession.
The high point of the presidential summit was the presentation of awards to deserving Nigerians for their meritorious service to the nation.
Among those that were honoured by the federal government included Elder Nathaniel CU Okoro,the first indigenous managing director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC),Professor Julius A.Okojie,former executive secretary, National Universities Commission(NUC) and Hajia Saudatu Usman Bungudu former minister of women affairs.