Abia Urged to Domesticate UN  Convention on Older People’s Rights

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Abia State Government has been urged to come up with appropriate policy responses in tackling the problems affecting the older persons by domesticating the United Nations(UN) Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.

The Co-chair/Facilitator of the National Senior Citizens Centre(NSCC), Abia State Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Ageing, Mazi Ottih Nwaka, made the call in Umuahia during the commemoration of the second edition of the National Day of Older Persons. 

He said that the domestication of the said UN Convention would be achieved by passing into law the Abia State Senior Citizens bill, adding, “we must do this for posterity and for the generation unborn”.

According to him, it has become pertinent that Abia should get the Senior Citizens Act as it would, among other things, address the “unique challenges” associated with ageing.

He said: “The law shall address issues faced by old persons, ranging from physical, social and psychological challenges due to their livelihood, chronic health conditions, lack of adequate care and support.

“The law shall help our older persons maintain independence, get professional advice on self-care strategies; improve poor communication and coordination of services and improve lack of information on services such as care pathways.

“The law shall contribute to a shift in societal attitudes and practices by raising awareness and setting standards for the treatment of older people, ultimately fostering a culture of respect and care for our older population”.

Nwaka stated that the Abia chapter carried out a review of its activities and progress on October 25, 2023, adding that NSCC has prepared the forum to serve and manage the older persons in their various states of the federation. 

“We are here to serve Abia State,” he asserted, pointing out the need to treat the Senior citizens with special love and care.

The NSCC Facilitator in Abia stressed the  need for the domestication and application of the UN Convention on the rights of older people as it would “advance and ensure that as we grow older, our rights and well-being are protected and respected.”

He noted that the rights of older persons are well elaborated in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other declarations.

“There is the need to pass this act and domesticate it in Abia State to ensure the application of universal standards to these particular groups,” he stated.