NGO organises training for senior citizens
By Angela Atabo
Wiki for Senior Citizens Network, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), on Monday, under its Wiki loves Africa yearly campaign, organised a training and excursion for some senior citizens in the FCT.
Mrs Oby Ezeilo, Founder, WIKI for Senior Citizens Network, said that the training programme aimed to bridge the digital gap and empower senior citizens to contribute to the global knowledge pool.
Ezeilo said that it was also geared towards promoting knowledge sharing, digital literacy on the use of technology to upgrade their lifestyles.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Wiki loves Africa is a yearly campaign organised by Wikimedia Foundation to encourage Africans to showcase their culture, tradition, and stories.
The 2025 edition has as its theme: ”Farm to Plate”.
According to her, the training for today ”Farm-to-Plate is what Wiki Loves Africa project is all about.
”This year’s project has to do with ”Farm to Plate. That is, anything that you can produce from your farm processes it, make it and serve it on the table.
”It involves local dishes, African dishes, farm implement, eating tools, farm produce, farm processes and even cooking.”
NAN reports that at the end of the training, participants were also taking on excursion to the National Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA) to learn about space, space management, space activities, and astronauts among others.
Meanwhile some participants have lauded the NGO for promoting knowledge sharing, digital literacy and engaging older adults.
The senior citizens praised the initiative for its engaging and informative content, which covered topics such as digital literacy, Wiki Commons, and the Wiki Loves Africa project.
A Senior citizen, and participant, Violet Uttazi, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to learn new skills and explore the world of technology.
”It is like learning and playing. I commend Wiki for Senior Citizens Network for the initiative and for helping senior citizens to be active by learning new skills.
Uttazi called for constant payment of pension of retirees as well as more engagement for senior citizens.
She also encouraged more Nigerians to emulate Wiki for Senior Citizens Network and always remember older adults.
Another Senior citizen, Mr Obi Ezeilo, emphasised the importance of digital literacy for senior citizens, adding that the training was interesting and an eye opener.
”I am happy to give knowledge and still contribute to the nation as a volunteer.
”Visiting the space museum was also an interesting experience. I now know a lot about what they do there, the outer space, and what these things look like.
”So I thank the organisers of Wiki for Senior Citizens Network, because I had an engaging day.
”The unfortunate thing is that organisations hardly engage senior citizens; they mostly focus on youths, children and so on.
”So I urge government and other NGOs to begin to think of dedicating some of their efforts in addressing the challenges and the well-being of adults in Nigeria,” he said.
Another participant, Florence Oguah, highlighted the benefits of the programme adding that it relieved stress and thought her about data security among others.
”As a senior citizen, I am grateful to Wiki for Senior Citizens Network for the opportunity to horn my digital skills,” she said.
Oguah called on the government to encourage and support organisations like Wiki for Senior Citizens Network caring for the elderly and prioritising the needs of the elderly. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker
Published By
- Senior Editor
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