Dave Omokaro Foundation is the leading organization in advocacy, human resource, institutional and policy capacity development in ageing in Nigeria. The Foundation is the Convener and Co-chair of the Stakeholder Group on Ageing Africa (SGA- Africa), a coalition of multi-sector organizations and professional bodies representing the constituents of older persons in Africa. As co-chair, DOF leads SGA Africa’s initiatives and engagement with member states and other stakeholders, on national, sub regional, regional and global platforms including the United Nations, to influence policy and legal frameworks for the strengthening of the protection of the human rights of older persons. On the UNECA African Regional Civil Society Engagement Forum on SDGs, DOF leads advocacy and civil society reviews on inclusion of older persons in 2030 and AU 2063 development agendas.
DOF is a leading expert and promoter of national and regional campaigns for strengthening the protection of the rights of older persons; the ratification of the Protocol to the African Union Charter on the Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Older Persons and a UN Convention for the Rights of Older persons. DOF presently serves as member of the African Union team of Experts for the review and revision of the African Union Policy Framework on Ageing and Plan of Action 2002.
Highlights from DOF’s work over the last year in support of building skills, knowledge and network in ageing
1. Dave Omokaro Africa Institute on Ageing and Development Distinguished Public Lecture on Population Ageing and Sustainable Development: Implications for Multidisciplinary Research and Training towards Legal, Policy and Programmatic Action in Nigeria 24th June, 2019
The first in the series of Distinguished Public Lecture of the Dave Omokaro Africa Institute on Ageing and Development (DOFRIAD) University of Abuja was held in honor of former Vice Chancellor, Prof Michael Amalu Adiku UNIABUJA. The lecture which was titled “Population Ageing and Sustainable Development: Implications for Multidisciplinary Research and Training Towards Legal, Policy and Programmatic Action in Nigeria” was delivered by Prof. Funmi Togonu Bickersteth of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife and the Pro-Chancellor Federal University Gusau Zamfara State.
The event attracted dignitaries from the polity including the presidency, the academia, Professional bodies, the private sector, NGOs, students, Insurance companies and the media. The aim was to stimulate scholarship across multi-disciplines in ageing and to sensitize the public by sharing critical information on ageing and challenges of older persons as well as to advocate for older persons’ inclusion in sustainable development.
2. DOF Training on Gerontology and Geriatrics 24th to 28th June, 2019
DOF organized a five-day in-situ training program in collaboration with the international Institute on Ageing United Nations-Malta (INIA), on Gerontology and Geriatrics at 3J’s Hotel Abuja, Nigeria from 24th to 28th June, 2019. Thirty two (32) medical and Para medical professionals attended from across the nation’s Tertiary Health Institutions – University Teaching Hospitals; Secondary Institutions- General Hospitals; and the Primary and Community Care levels. Also in attendance were policy makers and planners from Federal Ministries of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agencies, Local Government Councils, Social Workers’ Association, as well as Non-Governmental Organizations in the field of Geriatric Care and notable Alzheimer’s and related diseases.United Nations and DOF jointly signed Certificates of participation.
3 International
Dave Omokaro Foundation is in Consultative Status with ECOSOC United Nations and accredited for work of the Open Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) United Nations
As Convener and Co-chair, DOF led SGA Africa in organizing a Side Event on the fringes of the 10th Session of the OEWGA IN New York, 15th – 18th April, 2019 Titled ,Autonomy Independence and Rights of Older Persons in the African Context” the side event was held United Nations Headquarter, New York and chaired by Permanent Missions of Nigeria with support of Permanent missions of Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Chad, Norway, Argentina to the United Nations, UNDESA and UN OHCHR. The event was attended by Older Persons, Government officials and CSO’s from various countries. It highlighted and integrated Africa’s perspectives in global discourse of rights of older persons
4. Partnering with Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the WHO on the Inauguration of Technical Working Group on Ageing in Nigeria and the Review and drafting of First National Policy on Ageing
Inauguration of National Technical Working Group on Ageing supported by World Health Organization Nigeria & co-chaired by Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria & Federal Ministry of Women Affair, membership drawn from multi sectors including NGOs. Dave Omokaro participated and deployed its expertise to influence inclusion and development of content for critical thematic areas.
5. African Regional High-Level Conference on Human Rights Situation of Older Persons 25th -26th November, 2019. Co-Chaired and Convened by DOF
The Dave Omokaro Foundation initiated and co-hosted the African Regional High Level Conference on the Situation of Human Rights of Older Persons in Africa from 25 to 26 November 2019 in Abuja with the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria, Stakeholder Group on Ageing – Africa, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Africa Union Commission, Federal Ministry of Health (HEPIQ-C), Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The event brought together ministers, members of parliaments and senior representatives from 22 African countries, development partners, UN entities, academia, NGOs and older persons’ representatives. The aim was to discuss the state of Africa’s older persons, appeal for the ratification of the regional protocol and promote international legally binding instruments to strengthen the protection of the rights of older persons.
6. During 2019 Dr. Emem Omokaro, Executive Director DOF
was selected by African Union to join the group of seven experts to work on the review AND Revision of African Union Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing 2002
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 2020.
Contact us: www.thedaveomokarofoundation.org
dofriadinstituteafrik@gmail.com
Tel: +2348037242629. Twitter: @daveomokaro
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