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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Emir of Argungu, Samaila Mera, has said the greatest asset of Nigeria is not oil, agriculture or gold and diamond, but the elderly citizens who have only a dream for the country, which is to be the best for all.
He stated this when Director General of National Senior Citizen Centre (NSCC), Emem Omokaro, visited him, at his palace.
The emir, who appreciated the centre for the visit, assured them of maximum support and cooperation of traditional institutions towards the success of the centre.
He said: “I am so delighted to have the privilege of receiving this very important group representing me, my mother, who is still alive. Honestly, I am so delighted and moved. Finally, our country is turning around to look after not the vulnerable but the most valuable asset that we have, I won’t call our elders vulnerable.
“The greatest asset of this country is not the oil, is not agriculture, is not gold and diamond under the surface of the earth but the elderly who have only a dream of the best for us. I am delighted again this centre will be representing those people, because my mother is still alive living with me, I, sometimes have a feelings am among those you call young men.”
The emir applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly and other stakeholders who facilitated the actualisation of the Senior Citizens Centre Act.
Emem Omokaro, NSCC director general appealed to the emir to use his royal position to influence the Kebbi Government to domesticate the National Senior Citizens Centre Act through the state Assembly.
She observed that sustainability of the programme depended on policy, plan and strategy as well as political will to properly integrate the older persons into the scheme.
