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By Akpan David, Calabar
The federal government has picked 50 elderly persons from Hope Waddel Training Institution Calabar, the fifth oldest secondary school in Nigeria, to help in mentoring younger students in the country.
This is to climax the celebration of the 130 year old, which started on Monday.
Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro said the 50 elders are the Distinguished Faces and Voices identified yet by the agency who will share knowledge and experiences of seniors.
Omokaro, represented by head of corporate affairs, Media and Communications,
National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), Omini Oden, said it will afford both generations to benefit from each other through a structured Mentoring relationship fostering connections, inspirations and the transfer of torches across different age groups.
She explained that sharing life lessons and wisdom with youths and learning new perspectives and technological skills can be mutually beneficial.
“To apply, the longevity lens is to appreciate the weight of the impact of decades of accumulation and transference of values, principles, character and knowledge content, and their translation into leadership for National building in various spheres.”
Omokaro said this will be the first time since their establishment four years ago that they have identified and investitured them, adding that marking 130 years of existence was most remarkable that have to tap in.
She expressed happiness to work with alumni of Hope Wadell Institution in this direction to flame the fire.
“We are honored to have 50 Elder Statemen and to humbly identify and invest them with the NSCC Distinguished Envoy pin.”
She disclosed that they have “NSCC Goodwill Ambassadors of Age-friendly Services and Elder Justice Advocacy. Media & entertainment veterans who are a network support for NSCC’s programmes.”
Thr NSCC offered the senior alumni a platform as Distinguished Envoys for Intergenerational Learning and Youth Mentoring.
She spoke of Continuing Engagement Bureau programme, a platform where NSCC creates/facilitates opportunities, work schemes, and labor market agreements for senior citizens to continue to contribute to their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the 50, the national president of HWTI Alumni Association, Efioita Okon Ephraim commended the NSCC for making them pioneers to benefit from the Institute and to mentor the younger ones.
He said they will deliver on their expectations because they have the experiences and expertise to groom young people.
Apart from Barr Efioita Ephraim, few amongst the 50 senior citizens include, Mr Okon Onoyom-Ita, Engr Slim Otu Antia, Pastor Obong Bassey Obong, Prof. Chinemelu Okoye, Engr Andy Onyung, Prof Ekpenyong Itam and Archbishop Idem Ikon.
Others are, Dr Donald Ikpe, Engr Amba Nsunwara, Pastor Godfrey Onwuzo and Chief Gershom Henshaw among others.
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