NAN-HG-7
Welfare
Kafanchan (Kaduna), Oct. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Association of Older Persons in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has urged the state government to introduce a welfare scheme to enhance living standard of the elderly.
Mrs Esther Victor, spokesperson for the association, made the plea on Tuesday at a programme commemorating the 2016 International Day for Older Persons in Kafanchan.
It was organised by the association, in collaboration with a Kafanchan-based NGO, Fanstwan Foundation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that United Nations had declared every Oct.1 as the International Day for the Older Persons.
Victor said that government at all levels should consider the scheme as it was the practice in developed countries to address the challenges facing the aged in our society.
“It is our desire to see a structure that will support older persons with stipends enough for them to feed and access healthcare when the need arises,” she said.
Victor also urged the state government to ensure prompt payment of pension allowances, especially to individuals who had laboured for the overall development of the country.
Also, Dr Katuka Bege, the Interim Chairman of Jema’a LGA, said that the state government was not unaware of its responsibilities toward the older persons.
In his remarks, the Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Muhammad, urged the public to imbibe religious and traditional culture of caring for the aged in the society.
The emir was represented by the Chief Imam of Kafanchan, Alhaji Kabir Kassim at the occasion. (NAN)
MGK/ORO/GOK
(Edited by Razak Owolabi/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)