The National University Commission (NUC) says it will partner with Gerontology Association of Nigeria (GAN) to harness the problem of the elderly in the society.
Malam Ibrahim Irodani’ya, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the commission, said this when members of the association’s Board of Trustee paid a courtesy visit to the commission on Wednesday in Abuja.
Irodani’ya said that it was a welcome idea to work with the association and stressed the need for identification of all members and having a comprehensive register for effective deliberation and ideas.
He also said the commission would promote the idea of the association through the inclusion of gerontology in university curriculum.
The Chairman of the association, Amb. Usman Saraki, said they would join hands with NUC to advocate for the welfare of elderly person’s in the society.
He said the association was established to create a platform where the needs of the elderly could be addressed.
He added that the association would collaborate with NUC in terms of creating a platform that would advocate the interest and welfare of elderly persons in the society.
According to him, ageing needs serious attention and social protection.
Saraki called for deliberate policies and effective implementation by the government as well as members of the society in the interest of the aged.
According to him, ageing is a natural process and preparation for ageing starts early in life when a person is intellectually sound as well as physically and mentally strong in order to prepare for it.
He appreciated the management of NUC over its commitment to collaborate with the association.
Dr Emem Omokaro, who is the convener of the visit, said the agenda of the association was to sensitise Nigerians on the need for care and provision of the aged needs in the society.
She said it was also geared towards making the populace understand ageing as well as the challenges of ageing.
She added that NUC and her foundation created spaces for research on ageing. (NAN)
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