The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has raised an alarm over the neglect of elderly people in the country.

Maina said this at the first stakeholders consultative and policy dialogue, organised by the Nigerian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology in Abuja on Tuesday.

The minister, represented by Mr. Maijanma Kwassau, Director, Social Welfare, said care for the aged has declined mainly due to prevailing economic challenges.

She said other reasons responsible for the problem included the breakdown of extended family system, support system for senior citizens and rural-urban migration of younger persons in search of greener pastures.

Maina said that efforts were ongoing to domesticate regional and international instruments to mainstream issues of ageing into the development agenda.

The convener of the meeting, Dr Isabella Aboderin, said it was important for all stakeholders to brainstorm on how to improve the lives of the elderly in the society.

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