The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has trained its staff as human rights defenders and advocates to strengthen efforts to combat elder abuse in Nigeria.
The training, held recently at the Commission’s headquarters, focused on equipping staff with the knowledge and skills required to identify, document, investigate and advocate against abuses suffered by older persons.
In his opening remarks, delivered by the Deputy Director, Vulnerable Groups Department, Mrs. Jennifer Agah, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Chief Tony Ojukwu SAN, described the training as timely and necessary, particularly 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 greater attention to challenges confronting older persons, including physical, psychological and financial abuse, 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 said the objectives of the programme included enhancing staff capacity to recognise different forms of elder abuse, strengthening advocacy and engagement with government, civil society organisations and communities, and 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.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the programme, describing it as timely and relevant to their daily interactions with vulnerable persons.
- They said the knowledge acquired would enhance their ability to identify, document and respond appropriately 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.
