Sunday, 31 January 2021 / Published in what we do

Summary of DOF’s Work During 2020

Dave Omokaro Foundation is the leading organization in advocacy, ageing mainstreaming in government strategic agendas and 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 including CSOs, researchers, human right activists and Professional Bodies in Africa, representing the constituents of older persons, as member of the ECA AFRSD mechanism for Major Group and other stakeholders (ARFMMGoS). As co-chair, DOF leads SGA Africa’s initiatives and engagement with member states and other stakeholders at the African regional Forum on inclusion in SDGs implementation. DOF is also working on 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 SDGs, DOF is host of the International Institute on Ageing, United Nations Satellite Center for sub-Sahara Africa and co-chair of the Center’s Council. The Center leads human resource enhancement including development of skill-sets for policy and decision makers and care givers in the field of population ageing and development.

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 and has been appointed member of many NATIONAL Technical Working Group on policy reviews and revisions in Nigeria.

Highlights from DOF’s work over the year ending 2020 in support of building skills, knowledge and network in ageing

1. INIA-DOF Training on Gerontology and Geriatrics 24th to 28th February, 2020

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 February, 2020.

The training focused on population ageing and implications; ageism, human rights and the desirability of a paradigm shift; regional and global resolutions and the power of the media to frame conversions and influence national agenda within the context of finding innovative and transformative solutions to stop ageism, achieve age equality and equity. Substantive and normative cross-cutting issues on ageing, the stakes for inclusive policies, national multi-indicator surveys and strong coordination mechanisms were addressed. Participants explored resourceful community oriented primary health care and geriatric care with effective inter-sectorial interventions.

The 24 participants were drawn from the nation’s broadcast, print and social media including, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Independent Television, Wazobia Max TV, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Nigeria Info, Armed Forces Radio, Nigerian Pilot Newspaper, Triumph Newspaper, Peoples Media Limited, Abuja Inquirer Newspaper, Weekenders Magazine, International Institute of Journalism, News Agency of Nigeria. Also in attendance were policy makers and planners from Federal Ministries of Justice, Federal Ministry of Education, National Human Rights Commission and National Bureau of Statistics.United Nations and DOF jointly signed Certificates of participation.

2. Commemoration of Elder Abuse Awareness Day – DOF in collaboration with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). June 15, 2020

Dave Omokaro Foundation with Nigerian Union of Journalists and Gerontology Association of Nigeria and National Human Rights Commission held a one day symposium to inaugurate Nigeria Network of Journalists for Ageing and create awareness of elder abuse.

The theme for the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was Lifting Voices for Equity and Inclusion of Older Persons to Advocate,

The network of journalists aim to use their platforms to advocate for removal of barriers that older persons experience in accessing health care, social protection services, life-long learning opportunities and also humanitarian services; Rights to decent work and access to labour market and to justice will have to be recognized, acknowledged and protected to ensure the wellbeing of older persons.

3. Production and Broadcast of DOF, GAN, GERAN and NTA Jingle on Covid-19. April 2020 –ongoing

Dave Omokaro Foundation, the Geriatrics Association of Nigeria and Gerontology Association of Nigeria collaborated with Nigerian Television Authority to create awareness jingle on steps to prevent Covid-19 and protect older people’s health. It has been well received with continuing national and international broadcast on all NTA stations.

4. INIA-DOF Agreement Counter- Signing to Set Up INIA Satellite Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa in Nigeria

DOF signed an agreement of collaboration with INIA to open its Satellite Centre in Nigeria for the Sub-Saharan Africa covering Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra-Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Prof. Marvin Formosa- Director INIAUN – Malta

5. Appointment into National Technical Working Group on Review of National Social Protection Policy. August 2020

Dave Omokaro Foundation is appointed into the National Technical Working Group on Social Protection in Abuja.

The National Technical Working Group is setup to address multi-dimensional poverty, the emerging issues and, inadequacies in the current National Social Protection Policy. DOF represents the constituency of older persons and works to ensure inclusion in all relevant policy measures including social pensions and institutionalization of care via the Senior Citizen’s Center Act.

The appointment presents an opportunity to rally the stakeholders in ageing to influence inclusion and equity.

South-West Stakeholder Engagement with TWG chaired by SSAP on SDGs

DOF organized National Stakeholder Engagement webinar in collaboration with the National Technical Working Group on Review of Social Protection Policy Webinar on Harmonization of Inputs from Experts, Advocates & Right holders in Ageing. The outcome was the production of a Diagnostic Report on older persons to inform their inclusion and identification of appropriate policy measures. Inputs were gathered from foremost organizations in ageing.National Webinar

6. Listed as global expert /Speaker in INIA Webinar Series 2020

Dr. Emem Omokaro, Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation presented on Population Ageing: Diversity, Social Justice and Equality. The webinar series addressed the perception of ageing and older persons and to deliberate on innovative models of communicating the strategic importance of older persons to the wealth and wellbeing of the younger population and to the region’s economy.

DOF presented arguments for optimistic perception of ageing:

How transformative pathways to sustainable development should consider older persons as a force for development and therefore reduce the drivers of vulnerabilities

Pathways to reversing accumulated inequities and odds staked against older person and address empowerment of older persons

Presenting opportunities for new enterprise and markets for the GERAITRICS Product and services for youth employment in Africa

7. Public Hearing on the Older Persons (Rights & Privileges) Bill for an Act to ensure Health & Economic Reliefs

Dave Omokaro Foundation is among the Stakeholders who converged in the Nigerian Senate to push further the Bill for Act to ensure Equity, social justice & equality of opportunities for older persons.

Public Hearing on the Older Persons Rights & Privileges Bill for an Act to ensure Health & Economic Reliefs and Protection for their Social & Civil Rights & other related matters

8. Appointment into Ministerial Committee on provision of Health Insurance for the Retirees and Older Persons

Dave Omokaro Foundation has been appointed member of Ministerial Committee on Provision of Health Insurance for Retirees and Older Persons by Hon. Minister of Health, Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria.

9. First Council Meeting of INIA-DOF Satellite Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa

INIA-DOF Satellite Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa held its first Council Meeting on 17th November, 2020

The Council Chairs are Ms. Rosette Bonello (INIA) and Dr. Emem Omokaro (DOF).

The outcome of the virtual meeting focused on developing appropriate curriculum to enable the enhancement of Africa’s capacity to address population Ageing – challenges/opportunities

10. Listed as Global expert /speaker at the IFA Town Hall Meeting

Dr. Emem Omokaro presented on “ celebrating Africa’s older Persons’ Self-reliance and Resilience. Focus was on older persons’ efforts in developing new skills, care-giving, volunteerism, and much more at the IFA Virtual Town Hall.

Attention was drawn to the role played by self-help, family, traditional communal support mechanisms & volunteerism as entry points of interventions for older persons during the National shut- downs to mitigate and contend COVID-19

11. Appointment into the National Technical Working Group on Implementation Roadmap for Demographic Dividend.

Dave Omokaro Foundation’s membership of the TWG, provides access to influence innovative policy conversations and arguments about older persons’ role in achievement of demographic dividend; a consideration of challenges of the health and long term care products and services of the growing Geriatric population as transformative opportunities for youth employment & economic growth.