Highlights from DOF’s work over the last year in support of building skills, knowledge and network in ageing.
A five-day in-situ training program jointly organized by the international Institute on Aging (INIA), United Nations-Malta and the Dave Omokaro Foundation (DOF) Nigeria on Ageing Policy formulation, Planning and Implementation was held at Newton Park Hotel Abuja, Nigeria from 5th to 9th March, 2018.
The training drew twenty seven 27 participants; 17 directors from government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) 4 from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) , 2 Private Sector and 4 from media organizations. DOF/INIA covered costs for 21 participants and WHO sponsored 6.
2.United Nations Scooping Mission to Nigeria 23rd – 27th April, 2018
The Dave Omokaro Foundation in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning initiated a discussion with the Ageing Unit of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) towards provision of technical assistant to Nigeria in the development of National policy, and programmatic framework in ageing. The team led by the Senior Social Affairs Officer, focal person on Ageing, Ms. Rosemary Lane and Oleg Serezh, Chief Technical Cooperation Unit, both of the Division of Social Policy and Development, paid a 5 day working visit to Nigeria on a scooping mission; substantive dialogues about ageing in Nigeria, the situation of older persons, Civil Society and Professional Organizations’ Initiatives and policy and service gaps formed the focus of round table meetings with top level policy makers across relevant MDAs and Civil societies /Professional Bodies. The interactive sessions delivered content needed to drive UNDESA’s response and agenda for supporting development in ageing in Nigeria in core areas including human resource capacity, data production and aggregation. Outcomes achieved included effective and constructive communication of challenges and gaps. UNDESA HAS SINCE SUMMITTED REPORT awaiting Nigeria’s response and Invitation to Commence
3.One- Day Capacity Building Workshop on SDGs, Ageing, Intersectional Issues and Older Persons Rights to Inclusion 12th June, 2018
Objective was to enhance understanding of interrelatedness of SDGs, appreciation of intersections of ageing, health, poverty, gender and disabilities and to promote ageing inclusion in all sectors’ SDGs implementation plan.
65 participants attended the workshop; 30 personnel from 22 MDAs namely, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Disability Matters, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on National Social Investment Program, Federal Project Support Unit Community and Social Development Project, the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development, Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment and the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sport Development. Also in attendance, were the Federal Capital Territory Administration, National Human Rights Commission, National Orientation Agency, National Primary Healthcare Development Agencies and FCT Public Health Department HHSS FCTA, National Hospital Abuja, Nigerian Television Authority, African Independent Television, News Agency of Nigeria and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria
Thirty- five (35) officers from 22 Civil Society Organizations, including Stakeholder Group on Ageing and CSOs from diverse field; youth, human rights, gender, child Rights, education, health and women issue were in attendance. CSO Adviser to Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDGs and World Health Organization Nigeria also participated as facilitators.
4.SGA Africa Conference 5th -7th November, 2018
Co-Chaired and Convened by DOF
Having secured its recognition and inclusion within the African Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism Group, Stakeholder Group on Ageing Africa (SGA Africa) organized the first Annual African Regional Conference on Ageing from November 5-7 2018, at the Sheraton Abuja Hotel. The aim of the inaugural conference, included to mobilize various stakeholders to create a strong and active SGA Africa architecture in the region, to ensure effective engagement in SDGs and Agenda 2063 on multi levels and wider debates in the region on ageing inclusion with strong participation of older persons. With the theme: New Consensus for Innovative Multi-Level Stakeholder Engagements, the conference was designed to be practical and action oriented drawing from expert presentations, high panel discussions and open moderated dialogue within the context of Africa’s population dynamics and growing absolute numbers of older persons, participants shared national experiences, drawing lessons from social policies, legal and programmatic frameworks that have worked as well as the prospects and challenges of ageing inclusion.
5.Dave Omokaro African Institute on Ageing and Development (DOFRIAD) was successfully nested in the University of Abuja by a Memorandum of Agreement signed with the University
6.During 2018 Dr. Emem Omokaro, Executive Director DOF was elected Deputy Chair, Global Alliance for Rights of Older Persons (GAROP)
7.Outcomes of Round table meetings and trainings include establishment of Ageing Desks/Focal Persons on Ageing in many MDAs
Thank you to all for your support, we look forward to a productive and fruitful 2019.
Contact us:www.daveomokarofoundation.org
dofriadinstituteafrik@gmail.com
Tel: +2348037242629. Twitter: @daveomokaro
