The Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older People in Nigeria (COSROPIN), has advised the government to devise means of reaching retirees in their homes for verification exercise.
Ms. May Ikokwu, Secretary-General of the coalition, gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.
Ikokwu said that the movement of retirees, who are mainly old people from rural areas, to city centres for pension and other verifications had caused them more deaths and suffering.
She said it was time for the government to mobilise personnel saddled with the responsibilities of reaching the retirees to do so in their home, especially those in the rural areas for verification to prevent cases of collapse and death.
“Many of the retirees are old people, who are weak and may be facing different health challenges, such as hypertension and diabetes, among others.
“So, compelling them to move from their bases to city centres for verification before payment is suicidal.
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“Many of them have no money to facilitate such journey,’’ Ikokwu said.
The COSROPIN scribe called on government, at all levels, to prioritise the welfare of old people in their policy-making aimed at building an elderly-friendly nation.
“Let the government give the senior citizens protection that will boost confidence and assurance as forerunners of the country.’’
She expressed dissatisfaction with the rate at which old people were dying because of poor nutrition, inadequate healthcare and general neglect.
These, she said, must be addressed.
IKokwu explained that the government’s routine care for old people, in all ramifications, was imperative for healthy and comfortable old people in Nigeria.
