By Sola Ogundipe
Nigerians from all walks of life have been enjoined to advocate for the welfare and socio economic rights of the elderly in society, if the essence of true national development is to be garnered.
Making the call in Lagos recently, former Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abiodun Oduwole observed that government at all levels, needed to incorporate and adopt the essence of the health care for professionals in their old age, through suitable policies on long term as well as develop age friendly services and settings.
Oduwole who is Chief Executive Officer and Coordinator of a Non Government Organisation known as Aging with Grace and Dignity (AGRAD)- a group of concerned individuals and professionals who have contributed to the private and public sectors, said the aim of AGRAD is to strive for policy changes in government on issues that persons in our society,” she argued
Their focal areas include among others health & nutrition, protection of the elderly, data collection, analysis and research on issues affecting older persons.
AGRAD is embarking on series of activities including community outreach programmes in five local government areas in Lagos state, even as it gets set for a symposium to mark the UN International Day of the Older Persons on October 1, 2011.
Theme for this year is “The Growing Opportunities and Challenges of Global Aging”.
Those present atthe briefing were former Minister for Finance during the regime of General Muhammadu Buhari, and Commissioner for Finance and Industry in Ogun State, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, chairs the Board of AGRAD
Other members include Arc. Kayode Oduwole, Dr. Adetoun Agbe- Davies, former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health.
©2011 Vanguard Media
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