Stakeholders seek end to discrimination, neglect of older persons

A panel of stakeholders at a workshop in Abuja on Thursday advocated an end to discrimination, neglect and all forms of abuse against older persons in Nigeria.

Sen. Eze Ajoku, President, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) said that it was unfortunate that older persons still suffered social isolation in the country.

The workshop organised by Dewdrop Foundation and centered on Community of Practice on Eldercare and Discrimination.

Mrs Agatha Nnaji, Executive Director, Dewdrop Foundation called for advocacy and awareness among stakeholders as part of the efforts towards addressing changes that come with old age.

Nnaji, who reiterated the imperatives of sharing knowledge on the changes that come with old age, said that old age was a blessing.

Mrs Josephine Anenih, former Minister of Women Affairs, said respect and reverence for older persons was important in addressing moral decadence in the society.

Anenih, who described older persons as reservoir of knowledge, said they should not be discriminated against or discarded rather that they should be cherished.

She, therefore, called for an end to the abuse and discrimination of older persons by the younger persons.