The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) says it is set to partner with other government agencies in the registration of senior citizens in the country for them to benefit from government policies.

A spokesperson for NSCC, Omini Oden, said in a statement on Monday that the development follows President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration on the issuance of cards to senior citizens.

“This is coming on the heels of the declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari at the first presidential summit on aging in Nigeria for the registration and issuance of identity cards to senior citizens in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Oden said that NSCC would collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission, National Bureau of Statistics, National Orientation Agency, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, and Associations of Older Persons, the private sector, and interested Non-Governmental Organisations.

He said that the National Senior Citizens Center (ACT) 2017 mandated NSCC to keep records of statistics of senior citizens, build data system and inclusion as recommended in the National Policy on Ageing and it’s just a completed plan of action.

This, Mr Oden said, was for courtesies and other concessions to the senior citizens in public and private spaces as well as a declaration of the October 5, annually as National Day of Senior Citizens in Nigeria.

“The Presidential declaration for the registration and issuance of identity cards to senior citizens will facilitate dignified age-friendly services,” he added.

(NAN)