Buhari’s Govt Is Committed To Welfare Of Older Persons – Alkali

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Basheer Alkali, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is concerned about the welfare of elderly persons across the country.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that the government official stated this on Saturday during the premiere of a movie, “Silent Scream” in Abuja.

Alkali explained at the event that the government has constituted a committee to consider the insurance of civil servants who have retired from service. Adding that providing them with quality healthcare is a thing of priority to the Buhari administration.

The movie gives an insight into the plight of older persons in Nigeria as well as the controversies surrounding the care of older persons.

Represented by Director, Social Development Department, Mansur Kuliya, the permanent secretary noted that the federal government is working towards extending health insurance coverage to retirees.

He said: “The Federal Government has constituted a committee to consider the insurance of people who just retired from service. That committee was spearheaded by the federal ministry of Health and I am sure the report will almost be ready.

Alkali applauded the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria for championing the affairs of older persons.

The permanent secretary said he is elated to know that they are aware COSROPIN has a seat on the board of National Senior Citizens Centre. “And that seat is not for anybody, it will remain for you so long as the National Senior Citizens Centre exists”, Alkali said.

Also speaking at the event, COSPORIN President, Senator Eze Ajoku, expressed gratitude to the ministry for its support, saying that the coalition, under his watch, had been at the forefront of activities around older persons.

“Like you mentioned, COSROPIN was at the forefront of most of these activities. COSROPIN brought the bill to the attention of the ministry. We went to the National Assembly, pulled it out and brought it to attention of the ministry”, he said.