By Ameh Gabriel
By Sarah Momoh
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) has ushered in a new era of leadership with the formal assumption of office by Mrs. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe as the Centre’s new Director General. The transition ceremony, held at the NSCC headquarters in Abuja, also marked the official exit of Dr. Emem Omokaro, the Centre’s pioneer DG.
In her valedictory speech, Dr. Omokaro reflected on her tenure, describing it as a season of laying a solid institutional foundation. She highlighted key milestones achieved under her leadership, including groundbreaking policy innovations and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Nigeria’s senior citizens.
“It was four years of pioneering initiatives and transformative partnerships, all geared toward restoring dignity and improving the well-being of older persons across the country,” she remarked.
Taking the baton, Mrs. Akinyemi-Obe commended her predecessor’s trailblazing efforts and pledged to consolidate and expand on the gains made. “Dr. Omokaro has raised the bar. I intend to leverage her experience and continue to drive impactful initiatives that ensure our elderly population remains supported, engaged, and empowered,” she stated.
Among the initiatives referenced were the expansion of the geriatric care industry, the Elder Justice Campaign, the “One Community, One Senior Centre” model, the Senior-Led Multipurpose Cooperative Scheme, the Continuing Engagement Bureau, and the Multipurpose Identity Card Initiative.
Mrs. Akinyemi-Obe stressed the need for increased funding to scale these programs nationwide. “Adequate budgetary allocation is crucial to fulfilling the Centre’s mandate,” she noted.
A significant highlight of the ceremony was an interactive session featuring both the outgoing and incoming Directors General alongside participants of the ongoing NSCC-NBTE training for Quality Assurance Assessors in Geriatric Social Care.
The event drew the attendance of key dignitaries, including Hon. Lanre Okunlola, member of the House of Representatives representing Surulere II and a member of the Committee on Disabilities, and Hon. Abiodun Yinusa, Special Adviser to the President on Agriculture.
