As Nigeria joined the rest of the International Community to Celebrate World Elder Abuse Day, the Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN has called on citizens to imbibe the culture of care and respect for the elderly in order to protect them from any form of human rights violation and abuse.
The Chief Human Rights Officer, who made this call during the commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Abuja, noted that elder abuse and neglect was a global social issue which does not only affects the health of older persons but also diminishes their rights.
Ojukwu lamented that the abuse and neglect of the elder was a serious human rights issue which is largely under-recognized and treated as an unspoken problem. He said there is an urgent need to put mechanism in place to raise awareness on the plight of the elderly in order to develop a better understanding of ways to deal with the menace.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said the theme for this year’s celebration: “Digital Equity for All Ages” is apt because it reminds us of equality among all ages, in all spheres of live. He said the mindset of the people has to change to respect older persons for who they are and what they could contribute to the society.
While pledging the commitment of the Commission in ensuring the promotion of respect of the rights of the older persons, Ojukwu reiterated the Commission’s resolve to support relevant agencies in curbing the menace of elder abuse and neglect in the society.
