Presenting SCIWAD

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.