NATIONAL ELDER'S PARLIAMENT (NEP) CONSULTATIVE MEETING
A consultative meeting for the National Elders’ Parliament was convened on Thursday 19 August 2021 at the instance of Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) and International Federation on Aging in Nigeria (IFAN)
The meeting was held at No 10 Lingu Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja and chaired by Prof. Tunde Adeniran. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) was represented by the Director of Public Affairs. The event was attended by 52 persons excluding the media.
Participants were drawn from Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
Download President's welcome Address
CONCEPT OF NATIONAL ELDERS’ PARLIAMENT
The National Elders’ Parliament is a consultative, cultural alternative conflict resolution mechanism which is not religious or political that will use the wisdom counsel and experience of the elderly to contribute to the peace, promotion, development and conflict resolution mechanisms of the country providing and contributing to peace building and conflict resolution model/ platform for Nigeria, Sub-regions and African framework/Cooperation
REACTION FROM PARTICIPANTS/ GOODWILL MESSAGES
The speakers including National Orientation Agency, Civil Service Pensions Transition Directorate, National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, all agreed and supported the concept of the timely formation of the National Elders’ Parliament, as Elders are loaded with wisdom, experience and knowledge, and have historically been used for alternative conflict resolution. Elders stand as Role Models for the Society.
The keynote address delivered by the SGF assured the NEP that the office will supports its program which has to have a structure to stand the test of time and to be used as a model for Nigeria States and Africa.
President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to provide support to groups that aim to promote and impact positively in supporting national growth and cohesion.
TECHNICAL SESSION
A Steering Committee was set up with the following members
- Prof Tunde Adeniran – Chairman
- Senator Dr. Eze Ajoku – Co - Chairman
- Legal Aid Council Nigeria – Member
- Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution - Member
- National Institute of Cultural Orientation - Member
- National Human Rights Commission – Member
- National Security and Civil Defence Corps – Member
- Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate - Member
- National Orientation Agency - Member
- Public Complaints Commission - Member
- Dame May Ikokwu - Secretary General (COSROPIN) - Member
- Ike – Willie Nwobu – National Coordinator (IFAN) - Member
It is aimed that in the next few months, the Steering Committee shall create a conflict resolution mechanism for Nigeria.