Biography
Festus Olubiyo holds a PhD in Social Work from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and a certificate in Qualitative Research. He is the Head of the Research and Training department of Centre on Ageing, Development and Rights of Older Persons CADROP, a multi-disciplinary policy and research non-governmental organization based in Ibadan.
Dr Olubiyo is active in research and training in the field of ageing with emphasis on elder abuse, ageism and age discrimination in developing countries. He is presently involved in the planning and conceptualization of a national study on ageism in the various ethnic societies of Nigeria and leading a team on a study on ageism in the health sector. He participated in the committee set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria to draft a policy on abuse and discrimination of older persons, as part of the National Policy on Ageing. He is a strong advocate for the mainstreaming of ageism in the national policy framework.
He is a member of various professional bodies among them the International Network on Prevention of Elder Abuse, INPEA, the African Research on Ageing Network, AFRAN, the African Society on Ageing, Research and Development ASARD, Nigerian Society on Geriatric and Gerontology NSGG and National Association of Social Workers. Dr Olubiyo is married with a family. He is a recipient of two national awards.
Olubiyo, F
Paper
Ageism and Violation of Human Rights of Older Persons as Hindrance to Success of Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Countries of Sub Saharan Africa
Throughout the world, large numbers of older persons face challenges such as discrimination, poverty and abuse that severely restrict their human rights and contribution to society. The aim of this mixed method study was therefore to provide a better understanding of challenges of ageism in the context of violation of human rights as a major threat to the older persons in sub Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria. In addition the goal was to determine the extent of ageism as consistent denial to access basic health and social amenities in public facilities. Given the serious dearth of research in this area, this quantitative study attempted an in-depth analysis of causes of instutionalized ageism and factors that determining its vulnerability to non communicable diseases NCD (None Communicable Diseases), at old age. A total of 56 semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion FGD were conducted among elderly with this segment of the Nigeria population.
Both quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted in empirically addressing the objectives and questions raised by the study. Results of data analysis suggest significant relationship between ageism and health as well as their social well being. It also revealed factors that contributed to addressing institutionalized ageism which act as hindrance to the success of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs in developing countries such as Nigeria. Policy implication of this study includes its focus on policymakers on health and social challenges facing older persons to address the negative effect of ageism in the society and the need for reform.
