Rate of negligence against elderly persons alarming – Minister

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has raised an alarm over the increasing rate of neglect of elderly persons in the country.

Maina said this at the Distribution of Economic Empowerment Materials to Older Persons and Discharged Juvenile Offenders in Abuja on Friday.

A total of 50 persons, selected from the 36 states of the country benefited from the empowerment programme.

She said it has been observed that care of the aged have continued to decline due to the prevailing severe economic crises.

She said that the breakdown of extended family support system for older persons and rural-urban migration of younger persons in search of greener pastures could also be responsible for such.

“In Nigeria, necessary support and care of the aged have continued to decline due to prevailing severe socio-economic crises.

“The breakdown of the extended family support system for older persons and the rural-urban migration of the younger generations in search of greener pastures, have greatly affected care for them'.

Maina said efforts were ongoing to domesticate regional and international instruments so as to mainstream ageing issues into development agenda.

She called on all stakeholders to support and facilitate initiatives towards equipping these vulnerable groups with entrepreneurial skills.

The minister however, observed that corporate organisations in Nigeria did not provide adequate support services for aged person, saying this trend should be discouraged in its entirety.

She reiterated government's commitment to create a conducive environment for everyone to participate fully in development processes.

A beneficiary, Mrs Charity Obi, who spoke on behalf of the group, commended government for coming to their aid.

Obi said the gesture had shown that the administration was committed to improving the lives of all Nigerians.