Rivers
Gov’s Wife Bemoans Plight Of Elderly
Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Dame Judith Amaechi has expressed worry over the pitiable state of the aged and senior citizens in the country despite their contribution to the development of the nation.
Dame Judith Amaechi stated this Tuesday as the Nigerian state clocked 49 on October 1, and joins the rest of the world to mark the United Nation’s International Day of Older Persons.
She described as unfortunate that despite the contribution and services of these older persons in promoting the ideals of a Nigerian state, as well as dissipating their youthful energies to serve their fatherland, the treatment of aged people in the society is very unfortunate.
According to her, “it is unfortunate that the society has neglected and abdicated its responsibility to the elderly and aged people as demonstrated in the shabby treatments to senior citizens, this is not in the interest of our society”.
Mrs. Amaechi said it is paramount that the society shows love to the aged people at all time as a way of giving them a sense of belonging.
The United Nations has set aside October 1 yearly to celebrate the aged and senior citizens’ contribution to the development of the globe and to deliberate on issues affecting them. Such issues include the health and nutrition, protection of elderly people, housing and environment. Others are social welfare, income security and employment as well as education.
The Rivers State Governor’s wife added that despite Nigeria’s signatory to international treaties on the elderly people, much is yet to be achieved in its implementation especially the Vienna International plan for the elderly people.
Mrs. Amaechi will on Wednesday donate gifts and other items to inmates of the homes of the elderly in Port Harcourt to enable them join their counterpart across the world to mark the United Nation’s International Day of Older People and to celebrate with Nigeria as it clocks 49. The theme of this year’s International Day of the Elderly is “Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons: Towards a Society for all Ages”.