The Federal government has declared its readiness to set up day care centres for older persons across the country.

CEOAFRICA news desk has gathered this proclamation from the words of the Minister of Women Affairs and Social development, Zainab Maina, in Abuja, during the celebration of the 2013 International Day of Older Persons, at the ministry headquarters.

The minister stated that even if it was not in the culture of Nigerians to send their parents to day care, the ministry was working towards collaborating with the civil societies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to increase the number of these centres across the country.

Maina lamented that necessary support and care of the aged in rural and urban communities had continued to decline, especially in the face of socio-economic climate.

She further remarked that the breakdown of the extended family system, which used to be the bedrock of support for older persons and the rural to urban migration of the younger generation had adversely affected the quality of care given to the older people.

She however called on NGOs to mount concrete programmes of intervention for the care and protection of older persons through advocates and undertakings that would provide income and security.

“Let us rise to the challenge of integrating our dear older citizens into the development process of this country, as we cannot ignore their numerous potentials,” she urged all.