The National Universities Commission and the North American-Nigerian International Coalition on Aging (NANICA) on Monday marked the United Nations Day for the Elderly, with a message that “the society must be prepared to take care of the elderly as the population of the elders is increasing.” 
In a paper titled, 'The Role of Family, State and Society in Care of the Elderly in Nigeria,” Dr. Emem Omokaro of the University of Calabar, said, “Nigeria needs, as a matter of urgency, a plan for her older persons, with details of the nature and structure of that help plan.” 

A guest, Koralia Vassileva from the US-based Valparaiso University, focused on the impact of global aging and the concept of traditional elderly care, stressing that, “the role of NANICA is to create a system for dealing with issues of aging through research, teaching and public service opportunities for faculty, because of rapidly ageing populations in the developing world. We are working to promote cross-cultural understanding of gerontological issues.” 
The event was attended by former Board Chairman of NUC, Alhaji Mataima Sule, civil society organisations, the diplomatic community and retired civil servants.