The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has trained its staff as human rights defenders and advocates as part of efforts to strengthen the protection of older persons and combat the rising incidence of elder abuse in Nigeria.
The training, held at the Commission’s headquarters, focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and practical tools required to identify, document, investigate and advocate against various forms of abuse suffered by older persons.
Speaking at the opening of the programme, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu, represented by the Deputy Director, Vulnerable Groups Department, Mrs Jennifer Agah, described the training as timely and necessary against the backdrop of Nigeria’s growing ageing population.
Ojukwu noted that while increased life expectancy was an indication of progress in healthcare, it had also brought to the fore critical challenges affecting older persons, including physical and psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect and harmful traditional practices.
He stressed that older persons are rights-holders entitled to dignity, equality and full protection under the law, adding that the NHRC has a mandate to promote, protect and enforce the rights of all persons without discrimination.
“Many older persons continue to suffer in silence, often invisible within our communities and systems,” he said.
According to him, the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of NHRC personnel to respond effectively to cases of elder abuse within national, regional and international human rights frameworks.
He identified the objectives of the programme to include enhancing staff capacity to recognise different forms of elder abuse, strengthening advocacy and engagement with government, civil society organisations and communities, as well as promoting a rights-based approach to interventions involving older persons.
The Executive Secretary urged participants to actively engage with the training and apply the knowledge gained in their respective areas of responsibility.
He explained that the training was being conducted in batches as part of the Commission’s commitment to inclusive capacity development and ensuring that relevant personnel were adequately equipped to protect vulnerable groups.
Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing the training as timely and relevant to their daily engagement with vulnerable persons.
They said the knowledge acquired would enhance their ability to identify, document and respond to cases of elder abuse across their various departments.
The participants also pledged to translate the lessons from the training into stronger advocacy and protection for older persons across the country.
