Politics
Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older People in Nigeria on Wednesday reiterated its call for an end to ageism or discrimination and stereotypes against old persons in the country.
Sen. Eze Ajoku, President of the Coalition reiterated the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Ageism, according to the WHO, is the stereotype, prejudice and discrimination towards people on the basis of their ages.
Ajoku described ageism as acts of persecution and disrespect to the rights of older persons who under the Constitution deserve equal treatment like other people.
He condemned the manner in which some old people were stereotyped in some Nigerian communities and called for equality.
“In some other parts of Nigeria, older women are thought to be witches who bring misfortune to the family. Others are abused by family members and deprived of their right to a safe and happy life in older age.
“You will be surprised to even hear some younger persons tell older persons to step aside because their times are past.
“They suffer from social marginalisation, loneliness, and negligence, all of which violate the human rights of older persons living in Nigeria,’’ he said.
The coalition president, who expressed hope in the passage of the “Rights and Privileges (Older Persons) Bill’’ currently on the floor of the Senate as panacea to the problem, commended the National Assembly for prioritising the Bill.
He urged Nigerians to regard older persons as assets and not as liabilities because old age had remained the hallmark of mentorship in every society and blessings to the youths.
Ajoku called for care, love and fellowship with old persons, especially those he said had underlying health challenges such as dementia that required close supervision, loving care and tolerance.
He also called for stronger synergy in the fight against ageism and commended the WHO for responding to the call by 194 countries to eliminate ageism.
He advised old persons to always be harbingers of truth and justice irrespective of the negative perception about them in some societies. (NAN)
– Nov. 11, 2020 @ 12:12 GMT |
Tags: Coalition calls for end to ageism discrimination stereotypes against old people
