Sule gave the advice in Abuja at the inaugural ceremony and the international conference of the African Society for Ageing Research and Development on Ageing, organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in collaboration with World Health Organisation, (WHO)
The theme was: “New Realities of Ageing in Africa: Implications for Research and Policy”.
He added that Buhari should not abandon the aged, but adopt the mixture of the young and aged in the formation of his cabinet to produce the country’s better future leaders.
According to him, the deterioration of values and leadership qualities across a broad spectrum of society called for concern.
His words: “Every society needs old people; because new breed without the old breed will breed greed. We also need the youthful exuberant of the young. You need the experience of the old, which you cannot buy in any market. “
“Our country must take care of the aged because this is to their own interest and benefit. As long as the aged are not dead, they are useful to the people and they must not be dumped in aged home.”
He lauded the NUC for its pioneering role in enlightening the society on challenges faced by the senior citizens in the society.
The NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, said about 6.5 million aged people, who are 60 years and above, are in Nigeria.
Okojie, who said ageing was an irreversible process, added that the conference was convened to help discuss African approach to the well-being of older persons.
“We must find an African strategy to deal with the challenges facing the older persons of the society.”
The Nation.
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