Reps Push For Protection Of Older Persons Rights, Access To Healthcare, Others …Say Current Policy, Legal Frameworks Fragmented Incomplete

By Alkassim Bala Tsakuwa, Abuja

The House of Representatives has moved to effectively guarantee the rights of old persons in the country, guarantee their access to healthcare, economic stability as well other rights and privileges.

This was reiterated by stakeholders at the public hearing on the Bill Organised by the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development on Wednesday.

The Bill was titled: ‘A Bill for an Act to Provide certain rights for older persons to ensure health and economic relief and protection for their social and Civic rights and for related matters (HB. 2098)’

The Committee Chairperson, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara in a welcome address said, the Bill seeks to provide essential rights for older persons in our communities.

She said, that brought the need to engage in meaningful dialogue about the welfare of senior citizens, individuals who have dedicated their lives to building our societies and enriching our communities.

She said, “Today, we gather not only to discuss the provisions of this bill but also to reflect on our collective responsibility to ensure that our older population receives the dignity, respect, and support they deserve. I call it – Society giving back.

“As we know, older persons often face unique challenges that can affect their health, economic stability, and social engagement. This legislation aims to address these issues head-on by establishing a framework that guarantees their rights and protections.

“House Bill 2098 seeks to ensure health and economic relief for older persons, recognizing that access to quality healthcare and financial security are fundamental human rights. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting their social and civic rights, allowing them to participate fully in society and contribute their wisdom and experience”.

In his opening address, the Speaker, Abbas Tajuddeen, stated that, the public hearing provided an opportunity for members of the public to lend their voices and their expertise to the making of the proposed law, as it goes through the necessary legislative process.

Represented by House’ Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, he said, the proposed Bill became necessary because existing legislations, like the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018, have not fully taken care of the peculiar needs of older persons as their rights are constantly abridged by others, from family members to public institutions and the rest of society.

The Speaker said, “This bill is therefore an attempt to provide comprehensive protection for the specific rights of older citizens and meet our obligations towards safeguarding their welfare.

“Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, guarantees certain inalienable rights for every citizen and forbids the discrimination of persons on the basis of religion or race or gender, but it fails to cover the peculiar injustices that old people suffer simply because they are old.

“The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 of the Constitution also make provisions for the well-being of citizens, but they are not obligations that are justifiable or enforceable.

“In sum, current policy and legal frameworks for the protection of old people are either fragmented or incomplete, and mostly cannot be enforced by the courts. This bill not only hopes to address a wider range of issues, including social and economic challenges, but also to provide a legally binding framework for older people.

“The important thing here is that old people are now to be protected by legally enforceable rights, and they can hope to get restitution from the courts if these rights or entitlements are breached”.