PRESENTING SENIOR CITIZENS
The world over, Senior Citizens, whom the United Nations (UN) call Older People, have served their fatherland meritoriously in different capacities and are either on pension or surviving through other forms of savings like petit trading, etc.
Some are active while others are frail because of advanced age and in cases ill health. These challenges informed the incorporation of Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD), an NGO geared towards ensuring a stable and anxiety free life for our Senior Citizens.
SCIWAD is a financial member with the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), with Headquarters in Canada.
One of the objectives of SCIWAD is to initiate, promote and encourage schemes, programs and policies for the improvement of the living condition of Senior Citizens.
We work with the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) with Comrade Ali Abatcha as President and our contact, The Association of Retired Police officers of Nigeria (ARPON) with Elder Stephen Aiyewumi (Rtd. AIG) as contact, The Association Retired Federal Senior Public officers of Nigeria (ARFESPON) with Chief Ike Ndeokwelu, President, as contact, Retired Prisons officers Association of Nigeria with Alh. J. G. Olenlua as contact and The Association of Retired Carrier Ambassadors of Nigeria with Ambassador Mohd Lameen Mefteden as contact.
ACTIVITIES
Prior to SCIWAD’s incorporation on January 19, 2006, we held a Seminar for Senior citizens in Abuja on Number 12, 2005 with the theme: “ Preventing and Managing of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria”. Drs. Isa Vatsa, former Project Cordinator of Federal Capital Action Committee on AIDS and now Commissioner for Health in Niger State, Folashade Momoh and Sadig Abulrahman of the Public Health Department spoke on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria respectively.
Eight participants later confided to the Co-ordinator General about their status and were directed to the appropriate quarters Mr. Adamu Vendo’s case of Tuberculosis was taken up immediately with Dr. (Mrs.) Momoh who directed us to Customs Clinic in Karu. He later was sent to his relations in Adamawa State.
We also had a keep fit exercise led by Senior Citizen Joshua Jegede. It was a wonderful experience and they liked it.
In April, 2006, Senior Citizens participated as Observers in the General Elections and later had a Seminar with the theme, “ Pension Administration in Nigeria: Taming the Monster”. In attendance were the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Chairman, House Committee on Pension Hon. Sani Sha’aban, representative of the Governor of the Central Bank and the NUP President.
The Seminar was relevant because of the pain and anguish pensioners went through vis-à-vis being paid. Most of them rely on pensions for health issues, feeding and school fees. It generated a lot of media hype which led to the fast forwarding of certain procedures.
In December, 2006, we celebrated the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) with a Seminar and the theme was, “Improving the Quality of Life for Older Persons: Advancing U. N. Global Strategies”. Quest Speaker was the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Joy Ogwu.
SCIWAD has also organized two training programmes with the theme, “ Managing the Working Life Towards a Successful Retirement” with some Senior Citizens as resource persons.
On October 18, 2007, Senior Citizens partnered with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and trooped out in a sensitization programme for drivers about the laws regulating the use of the ZEBRA CROSSING at the Federal Secretariat. It was quite revealing as questions like “ who is zebra crossing? were asked. SCIWAD could not continue with the exercise within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) because of logistics.
On October 23, 2007, SCIWAD organized a Seminar with the theme, “Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities on Ageing : Empowering Older Persons” to commemorate the International Day for Older Persons (IDOP) at the Main Conference Hall of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). The Head of Service, Engr. Ebele Okeke (FNSE) was the guest speaker and was ably represented by Engr. Raymond Okenwa, the present Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
CHALLENGES
The greatest challenge is trying to change attitudes of the role of Senior Citizens. There is tremendous capacity for growth in ageing and SCIWAD wishes to demonstrate that an ageing population presents an opportunity and not a burden.
POLICIES
The absence of policies and legislation that addresses the needs and concerns of Senior Citizens is a major setback. Trying to getting things from government agencies and the entire society is like “squeezing blood” out of a stone.
HEALTH CARE
It is pathetic that Senior Citizens, whose needs and care at this stage should be the concern of the society in general and the family in particular, are left to fend for themselves. This issue has to be addressed aggressively because of the growing population of Senior Citizens.
Using the FCT as a pilot scheme, we intend contacting the Minister for FCT requesting that unless a child or pregnant woman is in the consulting room, priority should be given to Senior Citizens who are easily identifiable. Their drugs should be highly subsidized while food supplements are given free. Their transportation should be free after peak periods to enable movements within the FCT
TRAINING
The dearth of trained doctors and nurses in Gerontology and Geriatrics call for drastic measures. As a matter of urgency, Gerontology and Geriatrics should be included in the curriculum of nurses and doctors, even as electives. SCIWAD is not aware of the availability of doctors and nurses, even lab technicians, in this field because it doesn’t seem to be enticing.
Dedicated doctors and nurses could be encouraged with better incentives to specialize in Gerontology and Geriatrics. Those in medical schools promised immediate employment after graduation with enhanced salaries. This will go a long way and within four years, Nigeria, and Africa in general, will be the better for it.
TOURISM
Moving from place to place in a conducive atmosphere relaxes the nerves and prevents stress. SCIWAD intends organizing outings within and outside the country for Senior Citizens. Those who have personal money including those we would source money for would visit other countries which might lead to exchange visits.
It would be fun to gather Senior Citizens, especially those needing company once every month to give them a treat with any of the military or police bands reproducing some old tunes.
The State Governments must get involve to include a doctor and two nurses on such trips if they were inter or intra state
FINANCE
Most organizations working with Senior Citizens are financially trapped. This has slowed down lots of activities geared towards integrating them into the society. SCIWAD intends training Senior Secondary School graduates in First Aid to assist Senior Citizens who need their services. The issue of a HOME will ONLY be for those whose relatives cannot be traced.
The breakdown of the extended family system has exploded the myth that Senior Citizens will be looked after by their children or relations. So we need paid staff to keep Senior Citizens with their relations under the supervision of SCIWAD.
CONCLUSION
In Africa, governments, donors, development agencies and the private sector have marginalized Senior Citizens and they are the poorest of the poor. The entire citizenry must work towards alleviating the sufferings of this set of people who in various capacities made our nations what they are today. The issue of Medicare in due course would be taken up with the Federal Ministry of Health since all the States have Federal Government Health Centers.
We must join hands to make ageing a thing of joy.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Hope for senior Citizens
SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE ADVOCACY (SCIWAD): THE JOURNEY SO FAR
Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization geared towards ensuring a stable and anxiety free life for Senior Citizens.
SCIWAD is also working towards the integration of senior citizens into the scheme of things as they still have abundant knowledge to offer the society, especially the youths.
REGISTRATION OF SCIWAD
SCIWAD applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in August, 2005 and the Certificate of Registration (RC 643647) was issued January 19, 2006.
Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Registration, SCIWAD organized a seminar in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital City (FCT) on Saturday, November 12, 2005, titled: Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
Dr. Ibrahim Vatsa, the then Project Manager of FCT Action Committee on AIDS (FACA) and now Niger State Commissioner for Health lectured on HIV/AIDS while Drs. Folashade Momoh and Sadiq Abdulrahhmah of the FCT Department of Public Health lectured on Tuberculosis and Malaria respectively.
Attendance was very impressive because that was probably the first time a seminar of that nature was organized for senior citizens.
During the demonstration of the usage of the condom, it became apparent some senior citizens had never seen a condom. Questions asked pointed to their sincere ignorance about the issue of HIV/AIDS. This was rather disturbing to SCIWAD officials because some of our senior citizens are still sexually very active.
Some confessed to SCIWAD officials that they only have erection with younger girls as their wives could not arouse them any longer. They said they were aware of enhancement pills but regretted their financial inability for the procurement.
Interestingly, some senior citizens still believed the issue of HIV/AIDS was nothing but a fabrication aimed at scaring people from having fun. This group was of the opinion that it was destined unto man to die the modalities of the how, when and by what means rested with GOD.
They maintained that people died in their millions before the advent of HIV/AIDS adding that because of improvement in medical science, death rates had reduced. Though this was quite worrisome, SCIWAD officials took solace in the fact that they were in the minority with the tendency of changing their views. SCIWAD immediately embarked on discussion exercises with a view to changing their psyche about the pandemic.
Malaria did not evoke much controversy since it had been around for a while and is presently on the rampage. It was argued that most senior citizens could not afford accommodation in the cities where sanitation was taken seriously.. The cost of the treated nets, some said, was beyond their reach making them very vulnerable to malaria.
This school of thought argued that pension was not paid on time and with the high rate of inflation, they found it extremely difficult to make ends meet with such meager funds. According to a pensioner, “no money to pay school fees for children, talk less of buying mosquito treated nets or medicines for the prevention of malaria.”
Another school of thought argued that hygienically, African villages were the safest as keeping the surroundings clean was a sine qua non. They argued that it was in the cities where filth competed with city dwellers for space. The air, they said, was polluted with toxic fumes.
In the case of Tuberculosis, it was generally agreed that since it was widely associated with HIV/AIDS, there was need for senior citizens to avail themselves for periodic medical checks whose cost have become problematic.
Since it was difficult sustaining the attention of most senior citizens during the lecture on Tuberculosis, Dr. (Mrs.) Momoh proffered a solution by requesting them to stand for light exercises. This electrified the atmosphere and like Oliver Twist, they asked for more.
KEEP FIT EXERCISE
It was unanimously agreed that keep fit exercises for senior citizens be held last Saturdays of every month. The exercise took off on Saturday, December 10, 2005, at the Wuse Zone 5 Park, Abuja, with the then 78-year-old Joshua Jegede, a retired Director from the Public sector, drilling both senior citizens and SCIWAD officials.
Before the commencement of the exercise, Mrs. Susan Aku, former Director of Co-operatives and Head of HIV/AIDS Unit in the Benue State Government Ministry of Commerce and Industries and now Director of Cooperatives, Benue State Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives, gave a talk on HIV/AIDS.
At the end of the exercise, senior citizens had breakfast and were very happy with the entire programme of activities. Unfortunately, that was the last time the exercise took place because of sponsorship and logistics.
SEMINAR ON PENSION ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: TAMING THE MONSTER – APRIL 27, 2006
The issue of pension in Nigeria had defied all available prescription leaving majority of pensioners the worst for it. To this end, SCIWAD swung into action with a Seminar on April 27, 2006, titled, PENSION ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: TAMING THE MONSTER.
In attendance were the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Adams Ashiomole, former Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Pension Hon. Sani Sha’aban, Mr. Adesina Balogun, representative of the Central Bank Governor and Comrade Ali Abatcha, President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), co-sponsor of the seminar and a host of others.
In a welcome address, the President of the NUP, Comrade Ali Abatcha, regretted the plight of pensioners within the last 15-years. According to him, “It is very regrettable that Pension Administration in Nigeria has become complex in the last 15-years so much to the extent that its management seems to have defied all solutions.”
The problem to him was largely due to the increasing number of retired workers which to him had become the order of the day.
He went on, “expectedly, as the number of retired workers increased, there is a corresponding increase in the number of pensioners on the pension payroll. In fact, there is the fear being expressed that in the next few years, the number of pensioners may out number that of workers on active service”.
The then President of the NLC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, urged the government to rethink on the one-to-one ratio of the new Contributory Pension Scheme. He said Nigeria was endowed with abundant natural resources so making government and the worker to contribute on a 50-50 basis was unacceptable. He urged Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of Nigeria’s National Assembly to go back to the drawing board and work out a befitting plan for workers and pensioners.
The former Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Pension, Hon. Sha’ban, assured participants that his Committee would ensure full implementation of the New Pension Scheme since they have an oversight function over PenCom. He urged SCIWAD to work closely with his Committee for the achievement of better results.
NEW PENSION SCHEME
The plight of senior citizens of Nigeria prompted the government to come up with the Pension Reform Act of 2004 which gave birth to the New Contributory Pension Scheme to replace the PAY-AS-YOU-GO (PAYG) System in which the entire cost of pension rested with the government. It is on record that the Nigerian Government carried a pension liability in excess of two Trillion Naira as arrears for the about 300,000 pensioners.
The PAYG Pension System was shrouded with lots of problems such as insufficient budgetary allocation, late release of funds and increase in salaries rose to huge unfunded liabilities.
According to reports, the cost of pension and gratuities as a percentage of total personnel cost between 1995 and 1999 had almost doubled having increased from 16.7% to 30%.
It is on record that pensioners have over the years encountered problems accessing their pensions as a result of weak benefit administration. The absence of a comprehensive data base of pensioners had either delayed payments or denied pensioners of their entitlements. To this end majority of pensioners, especially those of low income group, were still being subjected to starvation.
There was absolutely no comprehensive frame work for the regulation and supervision of the pension industry until the enactment of the Pension Reform Act. 2004.
Government needed a system that would among others be financially sustainable, simple and transparent, less cumbersome, cost effective and would encourage savings among workers.
This called for the establishment of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) saddled with the regulation and monitoring of Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFC). PenCom would guarantee prompt payment of pension to retirees as and when due, a system welcomed by SCIWAD and the NUP.
The objective of this laudable system was to ensure that every person who worked received his/her retirement benefits as and when due to prevent old age poverty and secure decent retirement. It would also ensure sustainability when they were no longer able or too weak/old to work.
A lot of people lacked faith in the new system and needed re-assurance through public education and credibility of the stakeholders.
Public awareness became a key issue in the unfolding pension scheme because it deals with issues bothering with the organization, operation and benefits of the scheme; hence the Seminar on Pension Administration in Nigeria: Taming the Monster.
WORKERS DAY CELEBRATION
On May 1, 2006, Senior Citizens and SCIWAD officials turned out in their numbers and joined the Nigerian work force in celebrating the day. The match past was very colourful
with senior citizens as the centre of attraction.
APRIL 2007 GENERAL ELECTION
SCIWAD contacted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requesting the participation of Senior Citizens AS OBSERVERS. The request was granted and Senior Citizens, made up of retired professionals most of whom are not tired, participated successfully as observers in the 2007 general election and were commended by INEC. They are found in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria making them very available for assignments, especially national assignments.
CONSULTANTS
SCIWAD intended contacting The Directorate of Small and Medium Scale Industries for possible engagement as small scale consultants. Retired accountants, auditors, etc., could be very useful in consulting with small scale industries at very reduced cost. This would keep the accounts of the organization in good shape and senior citizens would also keep themselves very busy while promoting a near perfect business environment in Nigeria.
HEALTHCARE
SCIWAD also intended contacting the Federal Ministry of Health with a view to making consultations in public health facilities easier and cheaper for senior citizens. There is also a dearth of medical personnel in Geriatrics and Gerontology in spite of the fact that the number of senior citizens is growing at an alarming proportion. Available data from the United State Bureau of Census estimated that by 2010, the population of Nigerians from 35-59 years of age would be 24,691,000.
HISTORY OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF PENSIONERS (NUP)
The history of the NUP dates back to 1977 when the then Military Government headed by General Olusegun Obasanjo, the immediate past democratically elected President of Nigeria (1969-2007) scrapped all the former Pension House Unions and merged them into one formidable union called the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.
The NUP was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, November 9, 1977, at the British Council Hall, Ibadan, in the then Western State and now Oyo State.
Late Chief Laleye Adegun, pioneer President of the NUP, played a very vital role in uniting pensioners under one umbrella.
Prior to the birth of the NUP, there were several pension associations. According to Chief I. O. Omotosho, JP, in his book “Nigeria Union of Pensioners Struggles and Achievements, “ there were many pensioners associations but only five were registered and recognized by the Federal Government”.
The five recognized associations, he said, were:
a) Western State Civil Service Pensioners Association
b) Association of Retired Civil Servants East Central State
c) Association of Nigerian Railway African Pensioners
d) Western State Railway Pensioners
e) East Central State Civil Service Pensioners Association
These five associations met and drafted the Constitution for the NUP on Wednesday, September 7, 1977, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Labour, Ibadan.
The NUP is among 43 registered and recognized Industrial Unions affiliated to the Central Labour Organization, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with the automatic check-off system in place.
36 Senior Staff Unions are not affiliated to the NLC making the deduction of dues individualistic with written consent
The Harmonization Committee set up in 1990 on Restructuring of Trade Unions rescued the NUP from the claws of a Technical Committee which was intent on scrapping the NUP.
According the Comrade Oshiomole, “retired workers are indeed a special group of workers whose interest must continue to be one of the cardinal objectives of the Labour Movement”.
The existence of six Pension Boards automatically provides six check-off points. Namely:
a) The Head of Service
b) National Universities Commission (NUC)
c) Police
d) Army
e) Customs, Prisons and Immigration
f) Nigeria Railway
SCIWAD is geared towards uniting all the pensioners irrespective of their check-off points for the better organization of programmes. NUP as a Union has the right to send its representatives to International Seminars, etc.
SCIWAD is looking forward to sponsorship from individuals or corporate organizations to actualize its aims and objectives.
The NUP is a staunch ally of SCIWAD and both organizations have pledged to work together towards enhancing the welfare of Senior Citizens.
SCIWAD and the NUP are discussing modalities of attending the next IFA conference in Canada in September 2008. Both organizations would appreciate sponsorship from individuals or corporate organizations towards this very important seminar.
Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious organization geared towards ensuring a stable and anxiety free life for Senior Citizens.
SCIWAD is also working towards the integration of senior citizens into the scheme of things as they still have abundant knowledge to offer the society, especially the youths.
REGISTRATION OF SCIWAD
SCIWAD applied for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in August, 2005 and the Certificate of Registration (RC 643647) was issued January 19, 2006.
Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Registration, SCIWAD organized a seminar in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital City (FCT) on Saturday, November 12, 2005, titled: Prevention and Management of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.
Dr. Ibrahim Vatsa, the then Project Manager of FCT Action Committee on AIDS (FACA) and now Niger State Commissioner for Health lectured on HIV/AIDS while Drs. Folashade Momoh and Sadiq Abdulrahhmah of the FCT Department of Public Health lectured on Tuberculosis and Malaria respectively.
Attendance was very impressive because that was probably the first time a seminar of that nature was organized for senior citizens.
During the demonstration of the usage of the condom, it became apparent some senior citizens had never seen a condom. Questions asked pointed to their sincere ignorance about the issue of HIV/AIDS. This was rather disturbing to SCIWAD officials because some of our senior citizens are still sexually very active.
Some confessed to SCIWAD officials that they only have erection with younger girls as their wives could not arouse them any longer. They said they were aware of enhancement pills but regretted their financial inability for the procurement.
Interestingly, some senior citizens still believed the issue of HIV/AIDS was nothing but a fabrication aimed at scaring people from having fun. This group was of the opinion that it was destined unto man to die the modalities of the how, when and by what means rested with GOD.
They maintained that people died in their millions before the advent of HIV/AIDS adding that because of improvement in medical science, death rates had reduced. Though this was quite worrisome, SCIWAD officials took solace in the fact that they were in the minority with the tendency of changing their views. SCIWAD immediately embarked on discussion exercises with a view to changing their psyche about the pandemic.
Malaria did not evoke much controversy since it had been around for a while and is presently on the rampage. It was argued that most senior citizens could not afford accommodation in the cities where sanitation was taken seriously.. The cost of the treated nets, some said, was beyond their reach making them very vulnerable to malaria.
This school of thought argued that pension was not paid on time and with the high rate of inflation, they found it extremely difficult to make ends meet with such meager funds. According to a pensioner, “no money to pay school fees for children, talk less of buying mosquito treated nets or medicines for the prevention of malaria.”
Another school of thought argued that hygienically, African villages were the safest as keeping the surroundings clean was a sine qua non. They argued that it was in the cities where filth competed with city dwellers for space. The air, they said, was polluted with toxic fumes.
In the case of Tuberculosis, it was generally agreed that since it was widely associated with HIV/AIDS, there was need for senior citizens to avail themselves for periodic medical checks whose cost have become problematic.
Since it was difficult sustaining the attention of most senior citizens during the lecture on Tuberculosis, Dr. (Mrs.) Momoh proffered a solution by requesting them to stand for light exercises. This electrified the atmosphere and like Oliver Twist, they asked for more.
KEEP FIT EXERCISE
It was unanimously agreed that keep fit exercises for senior citizens be held last Saturdays of every month. The exercise took off on Saturday, December 10, 2005, at the Wuse Zone 5 Park, Abuja, with the then 78-year-old Joshua Jegede, a retired Director from the Public sector, drilling both senior citizens and SCIWAD officials.
Before the commencement of the exercise, Mrs. Susan Aku, former Director of Co-operatives and Head of HIV/AIDS Unit in the Benue State Government Ministry of Commerce and Industries and now Director of Cooperatives, Benue State Ministry of Rural Development and Cooperatives, gave a talk on HIV/AIDS.
At the end of the exercise, senior citizens had breakfast and were very happy with the entire programme of activities. Unfortunately, that was the last time the exercise took place because of sponsorship and logistics.
SEMINAR ON PENSION ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: TAMING THE MONSTER – APRIL 27, 2006
The issue of pension in Nigeria had defied all available prescription leaving majority of pensioners the worst for it. To this end, SCIWAD swung into action with a Seminar on April 27, 2006, titled, PENSION ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: TAMING THE MONSTER.
In attendance were the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Adams Ashiomole, former Chairman, House of Representative Committee on Pension Hon. Sani Sha’aban, Mr. Adesina Balogun, representative of the Central Bank Governor and Comrade Ali Abatcha, President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), co-sponsor of the seminar and a host of others.
In a welcome address, the President of the NUP, Comrade Ali Abatcha, regretted the plight of pensioners within the last 15-years. According to him, “It is very regrettable that Pension Administration in Nigeria has become complex in the last 15-years so much to the extent that its management seems to have defied all solutions.”
The problem to him was largely due to the increasing number of retired workers which to him had become the order of the day.
He went on, “expectedly, as the number of retired workers increased, there is a corresponding increase in the number of pensioners on the pension payroll. In fact, there is the fear being expressed that in the next few years, the number of pensioners may out number that of workers on active service”.
The then President of the NLC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, urged the government to rethink on the one-to-one ratio of the new Contributory Pension Scheme. He said Nigeria was endowed with abundant natural resources so making government and the worker to contribute on a 50-50 basis was unacceptable. He urged Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of Nigeria’s National Assembly to go back to the drawing board and work out a befitting plan for workers and pensioners.
The former Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Pension, Hon. Sha’ban, assured participants that his Committee would ensure full implementation of the New Pension Scheme since they have an oversight function over PenCom. He urged SCIWAD to work closely with his Committee for the achievement of better results.
NEW PENSION SCHEME
The plight of senior citizens of Nigeria prompted the government to come up with the Pension Reform Act of 2004 which gave birth to the New Contributory Pension Scheme to replace the PAY-AS-YOU-GO (PAYG) System in which the entire cost of pension rested with the government. It is on record that the Nigerian Government carried a pension liability in excess of two Trillion Naira as arrears for the about 300,000 pensioners.
The PAYG Pension System was shrouded with lots of problems such as insufficient budgetary allocation, late release of funds and increase in salaries rose to huge unfunded liabilities.
According to reports, the cost of pension and gratuities as a percentage of total personnel cost between 1995 and 1999 had almost doubled having increased from 16.7% to 30%.
It is on record that pensioners have over the years encountered problems accessing their pensions as a result of weak benefit administration. The absence of a comprehensive data base of pensioners had either delayed payments or denied pensioners of their entitlements. To this end majority of pensioners, especially those of low income group, were still being subjected to starvation.
There was absolutely no comprehensive frame work for the regulation and supervision of the pension industry until the enactment of the Pension Reform Act. 2004.
Government needed a system that would among others be financially sustainable, simple and transparent, less cumbersome, cost effective and would encourage savings among workers.
This called for the establishment of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) saddled with the regulation and monitoring of Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFC). PenCom would guarantee prompt payment of pension to retirees as and when due, a system welcomed by SCIWAD and the NUP.
The objective of this laudable system was to ensure that every person who worked received his/her retirement benefits as and when due to prevent old age poverty and secure decent retirement. It would also ensure sustainability when they were no longer able or too weak/old to work.
A lot of people lacked faith in the new system and needed re-assurance through public education and credibility of the stakeholders.
Public awareness became a key issue in the unfolding pension scheme because it deals with issues bothering with the organization, operation and benefits of the scheme; hence the Seminar on Pension Administration in Nigeria: Taming the Monster.
WORKERS DAY CELEBRATION
On May 1, 2006, Senior Citizens and SCIWAD officials turned out in their numbers and joined the Nigerian work force in celebrating the day. The match past was very colourful
with senior citizens as the centre of attraction.
APRIL 2007 GENERAL ELECTION
SCIWAD contacted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requesting the participation of Senior Citizens AS OBSERVERS. The request was granted and Senior Citizens, made up of retired professionals most of whom are not tired, participated successfully as observers in the 2007 general election and were commended by INEC. They are found in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria making them very available for assignments, especially national assignments.
CONSULTANTS
SCIWAD intended contacting The Directorate of Small and Medium Scale Industries for possible engagement as small scale consultants. Retired accountants, auditors, etc., could be very useful in consulting with small scale industries at very reduced cost. This would keep the accounts of the organization in good shape and senior citizens would also keep themselves very busy while promoting a near perfect business environment in Nigeria.
HEALTHCARE
SCIWAD also intended contacting the Federal Ministry of Health with a view to making consultations in public health facilities easier and cheaper for senior citizens. There is also a dearth of medical personnel in Geriatrics and Gerontology in spite of the fact that the number of senior citizens is growing at an alarming proportion. Available data from the United State Bureau of Census estimated that by 2010, the population of Nigerians from 35-59 years of age would be 24,691,000.
HISTORY OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF PENSIONERS (NUP)
The history of the NUP dates back to 1977 when the then Military Government headed by General Olusegun Obasanjo, the immediate past democratically elected President of Nigeria (1969-2007) scrapped all the former Pension House Unions and merged them into one formidable union called the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.
The NUP was officially inaugurated on Wednesday, November 9, 1977, at the British Council Hall, Ibadan, in the then Western State and now Oyo State.
Late Chief Laleye Adegun, pioneer President of the NUP, played a very vital role in uniting pensioners under one umbrella.
Prior to the birth of the NUP, there were several pension associations. According to Chief I. O. Omotosho, JP, in his book “Nigeria Union of Pensioners Struggles and Achievements, “ there were many pensioners associations but only five were registered and recognized by the Federal Government”.
The five recognized associations, he said, were:
a) Western State Civil Service Pensioners Association
b) Association of Retired Civil Servants East Central State
c) Association of Nigerian Railway African Pensioners
d) Western State Railway Pensioners
e) East Central State Civil Service Pensioners Association
These five associations met and drafted the Constitution for the NUP on Wednesday, September 7, 1977, at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Labour, Ibadan.
The NUP is among 43 registered and recognized Industrial Unions affiliated to the Central Labour Organization, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with the automatic check-off system in place.
36 Senior Staff Unions are not affiliated to the NLC making the deduction of dues individualistic with written consent
The Harmonization Committee set up in 1990 on Restructuring of Trade Unions rescued the NUP from the claws of a Technical Committee which was intent on scrapping the NUP.
According the Comrade Oshiomole, “retired workers are indeed a special group of workers whose interest must continue to be one of the cardinal objectives of the Labour Movement”.
The existence of six Pension Boards automatically provides six check-off points. Namely:
a) The Head of Service
b) National Universities Commission (NUC)
c) Police
d) Army
e) Customs, Prisons and Immigration
f) Nigeria Railway
SCIWAD is geared towards uniting all the pensioners irrespective of their check-off points for the better organization of programmes. NUP as a Union has the right to send its representatives to International Seminars, etc.
SCIWAD is looking forward to sponsorship from individuals or corporate organizations to actualize its aims and objectives.
The NUP is a staunch ally of SCIWAD and both organizations have pledged to work together towards enhancing the welfare of Senior Citizens.
SCIWAD and the NUP are discussing modalities of attending the next IFA conference in Canada in September 2008. Both organizations would appreciate sponsorship from individuals or corporate organizations towards this very important seminar.
Senior Citizens a Vulnerable Group
SENIOR CITIZENS – A VULNERABLE GROUP
A presentation by Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) to the Country Review Team of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Abuja – Nigeria, from February 3 – March 2, 2008.
The increasing rate of the population of Older People the world over gives cause for concern.
The United Nations estimates that from a population of only 200 million in 1950, it might shoot to about 2 billion in 2050, an alarming increase with Africa and the developing world accounting for a chunk of it.
According to Tavengwa M. Nhongo, HelpAge International Africa Regional Representative, Older Persons are among the poorest of the poor in every society. They are abandoned, isolated, abused and subjugated by those members of the society and institutions upon which they must depend”.
He further added that the breakdown of the extended family system in Africa has exploded the myth that older persons would be looked after by their children and relatives.
It is very sad that in Africa, issues of older persons always meet “brick walls” even when their needs and problems are in the increase.
Research has shown that older persons are among the poorest in every society with women constituting the bulk of the population.
Older Persons, whom we prefer calling SENIOR CITIZENS because it is dignifying, served their father land meritoriously in different capacities majority of whom are today unable to face the rigours of life.
In their time, corruption was an aberration and there was absolutely no reason to engage in any form of corrupt practices. They lived comfortably on their pension while others lived on proceeds from their savings or farm products.
Today, corruption, like a cankerworm, has eaten deep into the fabrics of the societies making senior citizens the worst for it. Recession and inflation have further added to their woes making them vulnerable with the treat of extinction.
It was a thing of joy to listen to Senior Citizens talk glowingly about the fact that their pension was enough for them. Today it is a night mare thinking about pension issues and the pathetic condition under which pensioners found themselves.
HIV/AIDS pandemic has also turned some senior citizens into care givers of orphaned grand children. In some cases, senior citizens dispose of their belongings for “pea-nuts” because they lack any form of assistance in caring for orphans.
SCIWAD, a non-government, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organization geared towards ensuring a stable and anxiety free life for senior citizens wishes to suggest as follows:
a) People from 60 and above be called Senior Citizens
b) Respect their intellect and involve them in governance
c) Health care to be given priority: free or highly subsidized.
d) Prompt payment of pension
e) Cities designed for all ages
f) Protection from any form of violence
g) Opportunity to change life styles with desired (and varying) degrees of dependence and independency
h) All tiers of government in African countries to identify and assist senior citizens
African countries adopted three major documents on Ageing and like other standards and codes, are yet to be implemented. Namely:
1) The United Nations Principles for Older Persons
2) The UN Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing
3) The World Health Organization Active Ageing Policy Framework
The African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing was launched and adopted in 2002. Sadly, very few of the 54 African States have developed comprehensive policies and legislation covering the needs and concerns of senior citizens.
Could this be because senior citizens are viewed as spent forces that are not worth investing in because they are approaching the end of their lives?
Time flies. Within the twinkle of an eye it will be 2050 and with the projected population of about 2 billion older persons, the world and Africa in particular , would be the worst for it.
SCIWAD is therefore requesting the APRM Secretariat to make a special case for senior citizens as the journey of Peer Reviewing African States continue.
LONG LIVE THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA
A presentation by Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) to the Country Review Team of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Abuja – Nigeria, from February 3 – March 2, 2008.
The increasing rate of the population of Older People the world over gives cause for concern.
The United Nations estimates that from a population of only 200 million in 1950, it might shoot to about 2 billion in 2050, an alarming increase with Africa and the developing world accounting for a chunk of it.
According to Tavengwa M. Nhongo, HelpAge International Africa Regional Representative, Older Persons are among the poorest of the poor in every society. They are abandoned, isolated, abused and subjugated by those members of the society and institutions upon which they must depend”.
He further added that the breakdown of the extended family system in Africa has exploded the myth that older persons would be looked after by their children and relatives.
It is very sad that in Africa, issues of older persons always meet “brick walls” even when their needs and problems are in the increase.
Research has shown that older persons are among the poorest in every society with women constituting the bulk of the population.
Older Persons, whom we prefer calling SENIOR CITIZENS because it is dignifying, served their father land meritoriously in different capacities majority of whom are today unable to face the rigours of life.
In their time, corruption was an aberration and there was absolutely no reason to engage in any form of corrupt practices. They lived comfortably on their pension while others lived on proceeds from their savings or farm products.
Today, corruption, like a cankerworm, has eaten deep into the fabrics of the societies making senior citizens the worst for it. Recession and inflation have further added to their woes making them vulnerable with the treat of extinction.
It was a thing of joy to listen to Senior Citizens talk glowingly about the fact that their pension was enough for them. Today it is a night mare thinking about pension issues and the pathetic condition under which pensioners found themselves.
HIV/AIDS pandemic has also turned some senior citizens into care givers of orphaned grand children. In some cases, senior citizens dispose of their belongings for “pea-nuts” because they lack any form of assistance in caring for orphans.
SCIWAD, a non-government, non-political, non-religious and non-profit organization geared towards ensuring a stable and anxiety free life for senior citizens wishes to suggest as follows:
a) People from 60 and above be called Senior Citizens
b) Respect their intellect and involve them in governance
c) Health care to be given priority: free or highly subsidized.
d) Prompt payment of pension
e) Cities designed for all ages
f) Protection from any form of violence
g) Opportunity to change life styles with desired (and varying) degrees of dependence and independency
h) All tiers of government in African countries to identify and assist senior citizens
African countries adopted three major documents on Ageing and like other standards and codes, are yet to be implemented. Namely:
1) The United Nations Principles for Older Persons
2) The UN Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing
3) The World Health Organization Active Ageing Policy Framework
The African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing was launched and adopted in 2002. Sadly, very few of the 54 African States have developed comprehensive policies and legislation covering the needs and concerns of senior citizens.
Could this be because senior citizens are viewed as spent forces that are not worth investing in because they are approaching the end of their lives?
Time flies. Within the twinkle of an eye it will be 2050 and with the projected population of about 2 billion older persons, the world and Africa in particular , would be the worst for it.
SCIWAD is therefore requesting the APRM Secretariat to make a special case for senior citizens as the journey of Peer Reviewing African States continue.
LONG LIVE THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA
Paper by Chief Dr. Mrs. Ivase
MESSAGE BY CHIEF DR. (MRS) ELIZARBETH A. IVASE AT THE OCCASION OF THE 2007 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS HELD ON THE 23RD OCTOBER, 2007 AT THE CONFERENCE HALL, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION (SGF). FEDERAL SECRETARIAT THREE ARMS ZONE, ABUJA.
PROTOCOL
I feel extremely honoured by Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) for considering me worthy of participation in this years celebration of the International Day of Older Persons. The celebration reminds me, in a unique way, of God’s benevolence and mercy in attaining the enviable status of a senior citizen. It equally, and more importantly, provides me the opportunity to ponder over the plight of older persons in our midst. It is for these reasons that I feel genuinely elated by this invitation.
I have been asked to make some brief comments on ‘Empowering Senior Citizens: The Reality.’ Main speakers to the event, I understand, will be speaking on how the new pension reforms can impact more positively on the lives of older persons.
The population of older persons, the world over, is increasing. Available records show that ‘today one person in ten is 60 years or older and it is projected that by mid-century, the figure will be one person in five globally.’ (Obaid, T.A2006). Some other projections show that by 2030 every third person in several industrialized national will be over 60. In development nations it will take as little as 15 years for the population of older persons to double (e.g. Tunisia) By contrast other nations will take a longer time to achieve similar transition. Chile 30 years, France 115 years). This slower growth allows more ample time for adjusting to the socio-economic consequences. The elderly are said to be the world’s fastest-growing population group (enroblind. org). This trend, no doubt affects all aspect of our human life.
In the economic area, population of Older Persons has huge impact on economic growth, savings, investment and consumption, labour markets, pensions and taxation. In the socio-political sector, population of older persons affects heath care, family composition and living arrangements, housing and migration and voting. These are the challenges which all nations face, Nigeria inclusive.
2 Potentials
The contribution of Older Persons to sustainable human development can not be over emphasized. Such contribution by no means does not diminish with age. A 1 Khalifa (2006) so eloquently captures the contribution of older persons when she posited that ‘in many cultures elders are revered as central figures in the family and community. They pass on history and language and hereby maintaining cultural identity. They also play a significant role in education and caretaking. Increasingly older persons are the primary caretakers of their grandchildren who have been orphaned by Aids or conflicts”.
A1 Khalifa advises that the contributions of older persons are still very important today and should be recognized by all societies. This can be given practical effect by provision of adequate medical care, appropriate legal framework, food and other needs.
3 The Reality
As we gather here today to celebrate this year’s International Day of Older Person’s obvious pertinent questions readily come to mind: How much recognition has our society given to the contribution of Older Persons in our society? How much have we catered to their needs? The candid answer is that as a society and nation we have not excelled.
The United Nations, in its Resolution No 46/91 adopted major principles for Older Persons for member nations. Permit me to attach a copy of the resolution to this message and very sparingly make some reference to it. As a member nation Nigeria is a signatory to this resolution. Not much commitment has been shown in using the principles to enhance the wellbeing of older persons.
Sixteen years after the passage of the resolution, Nigeria has not had its policy on older persons. Policies which enhance the quality of older persons benefit, not only them but all generations. Such a policy makes profuse social and economic sense as it provides the blue print for both the public and private sectors to address the needs of older persons. The absence of such an important roadmap makes the implementation of programmes ad-hoc and discordant in nature.
African countries like Mali, Mauritius, Uganda, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana etc have since put in place their national policies on Older Persons. We urge Nigeria and other Africa countries to join their league.
Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to return to the UN principles for older person. The first principle states inter alias that ‘older persons should have access to adequate food, water, shelter, clothing and heath care through the provision of income, family and community support and self-help’. Older persons in our midst may have access to these necessities of life. The quantum of such accessibility is far being adequate. Government (all tiers), families and the community must do more.
Of course we are all well aware of the nature of the socio-economic environment we live in, in Nigeria today: that of pervasive poverty where more than 50% of the population live below poverty line. Simon Komolafe (This Day Oct. 17, 2007) succinctly captured this when he reported that’ five million youths are jobless, seven million children of primary school age are out of school, 201 children die by the age of five out of every 1000 live births, 800 pregnant women out of 100,000 die during child birth, and 4.4 million live with HIV/AIDS.’ Our dear Hon. Minister of Health was recently quoted to have said that Nigeria has the worst health indicators in the entire wide world.
It becomes extremely difficult for older persons to be adequately catered for in such an economically and socio-politically degraded environment. Older persons amongst us may not be feeding from our dust bins. The fact remains that the hardship to which they are subjected to has grown exponentially. It has become common to see retired soldiers, policemen and other civil/public servants in search of their retirement benefits in our major cities begging to feed, having waited in vain for several weeks or even months. What a way of rewarding people who so earnestly gave their all for their fatherland.
While we decry the plight of our ‘pensioned’ older person we weep for those others who do not have a retirement benefit to fall back on. Of course Older Persons who are on pension constitute an infinitesimal percentage of senior citizens in Nigeria.
The reforms in the nation’s pension administration may redress some of the financial problems faced by ‘pensioned’ Older Person. Older Pensions caught up in the old pension scheme are going through most trying periods as their pension funds are held up in some insurance/investment homes which had been privatized. Some have not received their meager pensions for more than ten months.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the reality of the harsh socio-economic environment in which our older persons live in this country is a national problem. Whether as a ‘pensioned’ peasant or any other category of older persons, they are self same victims of a system that may have reorganized the contentions of elder citizens but is yet to fully and decisively address their very basis.
4 The Way Forward
There is the vital need for all tiers of government and the society (families, communities, NGOS, CBOS, religious bodies) to demonstrate greater commitment to providing a more nourishing and supportive environment. Concern of elder citizens of all descriptions should be brought to the front burner of our national discourse through:
(a) Sustainable support of the human rights and freedom of older persons: these should amongst others include women’s rights: political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; rights to justice.
(b) Addressing the scourge of poverty which also threatens the wellbeing of a vast majority of many (especially elderly women). Such an improvement will positively rub off on older persons in our society.
(c) Ensuring full participation of older persons in society. This makes them feel part of the society and are afforded opportunity to further realize their potentials. Additionally this helps to give a more positive image of ageing. To further enhance this, all stakeholders should give older persons the opportunity to be fully involved in the formulation and implementation of policies that directly affect them.
(d) Ensuring that the elderly benefit from care and protection, our cherished family values which showed respect and care for the aged should be revived. Efforts o f families should be completed by national mechanisms for extending help to the older persons e.g. legislation to protects women’s rights to inheritance, support to older persons who give care to their grand/great grand children orphaned by HIV/AIDS Obaid reminds us that “Older Persons need love and affection. We will never outgrow our need for affection, emotional closeness, tenderness and love.” This care supper cedes all other forms of care and should be profusely extended to older persons as well.
(e) Unreserved commitment to adoption of national policy/legislation on older persons so that like in other climes we can being to celebrate old age as a blessing and not look at it as a problem and burden to society.
5 Conclusion
May I conclude my message by borrowing from the concerns of A1 Khalifa that a society that empowers its elders is a society that values wisdom and experience. Older Persons are an important part of the wisdom of life itself. They are a living memory and a blessing to their environment. Nigeria cannot, as a nation and as a people ignore this rich repository of knowledge and wisdom. We should strive to create for our older persons a conducive environment to live well and contribute to the wellbeing of their societies.
Thank you most sincerely for all your efforts in uplifting the rights of our older persons. May God help you to succeed.
REFERENCES
a1 Khalifa, S.H.R (2006) Message of the President of the UN General Assembly at the 16th International Day of older Pensions.
Obaid T.A. (2006) Keynote speech at the 16the Annual Observance of the International Day of Older Pensions.
International year of older persons: National targets on ageing.
www.un.org/newlinks/older/99/targets.
United Nations International year for older persons.
www.webspawner.com.
UN International year of older persons, 1999
www.euroblind.org/fichiers GB/uni99
Request For Assistance
REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) solicits your support in the following areas:
1. Office accommodation N700000 x 2 years = N1,400,000.00
2. 2 nos desktop computers N100000 x 2 = N200,000.00
3. 1 Laptop computer N150,000.00
4. 1 television (flat screen) N045,000.00
5. DSTV Installation N040,000.00
6. Monthly subscription N9000x12 = N108,000.00
7. 3 computer tables N8500 x 3 N025,000.00
8. 1 Executive Table N070,000.00
9. 1 Executive Chair N032,000.00
10. 3 computer chairs N7500x3 N022,500.00
11. Set of visitors chair N180,000.00
12. 2 office tables N26000x2= N052,000.00
13. Visitors Chairs N8000x4 N032,000.00
14. Executive visitors chair N17000x2= N034,000.00
15. 2 File Cabinets N15000x2 N030,000.00
16. Thermo cool refrigerator N062,000.00
17. Generator N145,000.00
18. 2 Air Conditioners N55000x2 N110,000.00
19. West Point water dispenser and bottle N32,000.00
20. Electric Kettle N00 5000.00
21. Telephone (land line) N025,000.00
22. 1 center table with 2 side stools N028,000.00
23. A set of six tea cups/saucers/tea spoons N005000.00
24. 1 flask N003,000.00
25. A car (Honda) N1,000,000.00
26. A bus N2,000,000.00
TOTAL N5,780,555.00
PERSONNEL
1. Allowance for Co-ordinator General N70000x12 N840,000.00
2. Computer Executive N25000x12 N300,000.00
3. Office Assistance (computer literate) N15000x12 N180,000.00
4. Driver N12000x12 N144,000.00
TOTAL N1,464,500.00
GRAND TOTAL N5,780,555 +N1,464,000 = N7,245,055.00
For your support, please call
Anne 0802 552 3575, 0703 510 9790
James 0803 313 9064, 0808 466 2438 @ Stella 0808 514 6514
Senior Citizens Welfare Advocacy (SCIWAD) solicits your support in the following areas:
1. Office accommodation N700000 x 2 years = N1,400,000.00
2. 2 nos desktop computers N100000 x 2 = N200,000.00
3. 1 Laptop computer N150,000.00
4. 1 television (flat screen) N045,000.00
5. DSTV Installation N040,000.00
6. Monthly subscription N9000x12 = N108,000.00
7. 3 computer tables N8500 x 3 N025,000.00
8. 1 Executive Table N070,000.00
9. 1 Executive Chair N032,000.00
10. 3 computer chairs N7500x3 N022,500.00
11. Set of visitors chair N180,000.00
12. 2 office tables N26000x2= N052,000.00
13. Visitors Chairs N8000x4 N032,000.00
14. Executive visitors chair N17000x2= N034,000.00
15. 2 File Cabinets N15000x2 N030,000.00
16. Thermo cool refrigerator N062,000.00
17. Generator N145,000.00
18. 2 Air Conditioners N55000x2 N110,000.00
19. West Point water dispenser and bottle N32,000.00
20. Electric Kettle N00 5000.00
21. Telephone (land line) N025,000.00
22. 1 center table with 2 side stools N028,000.00
23. A set of six tea cups/saucers/tea spoons N005000.00
24. 1 flask N003,000.00
25. A car (Honda) N1,000,000.00
26. A bus N2,000,000.00
TOTAL N5,780,555.00
PERSONNEL
1. Allowance for Co-ordinator General N70000x12 N840,000.00
2. Computer Executive N25000x12 N300,000.00
3. Office Assistance (computer literate) N15000x12 N180,000.00
4. Driver N12000x12 N144,000.00
TOTAL N1,464,500.00
GRAND TOTAL N5,780,555 +N1,464,000 = N7,245,055.00
For your support, please call
Anne 0802 552 3575, 0703 510 9790
James 0803 313 9064, 0808 466 2438 @ Stella 0808 514 6514
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