…….institutions to strategize the creation of functional identity cards for senior citizens nationwide.
By Kayode Femi:
Federal Government Collaborates with Banks to Develop Three-in-One Identity Cards for Elderly Citizens. In a meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Federal Government engaged with officials from Deposit Money Banks and other relevant institutions to strategize the creation of functional identity cards for senior citizens nationwide.
During the Roundtable Meeting with Banks on the Production of Senior Citizens Identity Cards, Emem Omokaro, the Director-General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, emphasized that this initiative would greatly enhance the well-being of elderly individuals across the country.
Omokaro further advocated for public-private partnerships in the production of these ID cards.
“This roundtable meeting, we hope, being a joint novel and maiden meeting on funding possibilities for the production of functional and seamless (three-in-one) identity cards for senior citizens, would provide equal opportunity for all present to contribute your perspectives and ideas to the national project.
“The National Senior Citizens Centre’s vision is a multi-purpose card that would serve as a vehicle for financial inclusion, conducive economic and social enterprise empowerment instrument and access to age-friendly physical environment outcomes for Nigeria’s senior citizens – a population most left behind,” she stated.
Benefits of Multipurpose ID Cards for Senior Citizens Highlighted by NSCC’s Director of Active Ageing and Support Services, Kayode Fagbemi.
“The ID card is expected to provide unique benefits to the senior citizens in the following ways: The cards will be multipurpose cards as they will serve as both national identity cards, bank cards, and senior citizens cards.
“It contains vital information about the senior citizen. For travel benefits, senior citizens should be able to enjoy concessions on railway tickets. Separate counters or queues should be available for booking tickets.
“Airlines should be able to offer discounts on domestic flights. Separate counters or queues should be available for booking tickets. Public transport in the states should be able to offer discounts for senior citizens,” he stated.
Fagbemi Stresses Objectives of Roundtable to Develop Printing Guidelines for Identity Cards for Nigerian Senior Citizens Above 60.
“To deliberate and determine the designs of the cards, create awareness, as well as address older persons keying into acquiring the cards and taking part in the benefits that come with the card.
“These benefits include discounts that will be placed for older persons from pharmacies, restaurants and other services such as transport, hospitals and many more,” he stated.
