In bid to further better life for older citizens in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria, on Tuesday met with the officials of Deposit Money Banks (DMB), and other related institutions in Abuja, to plan the production of functional three-in-one identity cards for older citizens across the country.
While briefing participants at the Roundtable Meeting with Banks on the Production of Senior Citizens Identity Cards, the Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre, Emem Omokaro, said the initiative would improve the quality of life of older persons across the country in various ways.
Omokaro called for public-private partnerships in the production of the ID cards.
The Director, Active Ageing and Support Services, NSCC, Kayode Fagbemi, outlined the benefits of the multipurpose ID cards for the senior citizens.
“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.
Fagbmi said the objectives of the roundtable include to work out modalities for the printing of identity cards for senior citizens of Nigeria above the age of 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.
