Emmanuel Daudu
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) witnessed a pivotal transition in leadership yesterday as Mrs. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe officially assumed office as the new Director General. The handover ceremony, held at the NSCC headquarters in Abuja, marked the formal departure of Dr. Emem Omokaro, the Centre’s pioneer Director General.
In a heartfelt farewell address, Dr. Omokaro reflected on her tenure, describing it as a period of foundational transformation, marked by numerous policy innovations and strategic collaborations to improve the lives of Nigeria’s elderly population. “It was four years of pioneering initiatives and transformative partnerships, all aimed at enhancing the well-being and dignity of older persons across the country,” she said.
Mrs. Akinyemi-Obe, in her inaugural remarks, expressed deep respect for the achievements of her predecessor and committed to building upon the solid foundation already laid. “Dr. Omokaro has raised the bar. I intend to draw from her wealth of experience and further advance the Centre’s mandate to ensure older citizens are supported, engaged, and empowered,” she stated.
Among the key programmes highlighted were the expansion of the geriatric care industry, the Elder Justice Campaign, the innovative “One Community, One Senior Centre” model, the Senior-Led Multipurpose Cooperative Scheme, the Continuing Engagement Bureau, and the launch of the Multipurpose Identity Card Initiative.
Mrs. Akinyemi-Obe emphasized the urgent need for sustained funding to bring these initiatives to scale. “Adequate budgetary allocation is critical if we are to actualize the Centre’s goals,” she appealed.
A notable segment of the event was an interactive session involving both the outgoing and incoming Directors General and participants from the ongoing NSCC-NBTE training program for Quality Assurance Assessors in Geriatric Social Care.
The ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Hon. Lanre Okunlola, Member of the House of Representatives representing Surulere II and a member of the Committee on Disabilities, as well as Hon. Abiodun Yinusa, Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture.
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