The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting senior citizens from abuse, neglect and abandonment, stressing that residents aged 60 and above deserve dignity, care and protection.

The government made this known in Umuahia during a workshop convened to review and draft a policy framework for implementing the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre Law No. 4 of 2025.

Speaking at the workshop, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix, said the state was working to develop a comprehensive policy that would address the needs and welfare of older persons.

Felix condemned the abandonment and mistreatment of elderly people, noting that senior citizens should not be left to suffer or be subjected to ridicule.

“The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation is actually leading this process to ensure that the Abia State Senior Citizens Policy comes to light. We have had a series of consultations with stakeholders, including critical stakeholders from both the formal and informal sectors, on this policy, knowing that it serves all older persons in Abia State aged 60 years and above,” she said.

The commissioner described the enactment of the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre Law, 2025, as an important step towards establishing a structured and sustainable approach to addressing the needs of older residents.

She added that the law, which has been signed by Governor Alex Otti, would be translated into an actionable policy to guide the protection and welfare of senior citizens across the state.

Representing the Abia State Ministry of Justice, Uwaoma Ajike assured participants that the ministry would provide the necessary legal support to protect elderly people in communities throughout Abia.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abia State, Okoro Ogbonna, said retired and retiring workers deserved protection and reassurance from society as they advanced in age.

Ogbonna commended the state government for enacting the senior citizens’ law, describing it as an important step towards addressing the concerns of older persons.

The policy development process is expected to provide a framework for implementing the law and strengthening measures to protect senior citizens from abuse, neglect and abandonment.