The Abia State Government has issued a clarification on the intent, context and provisions of Law No. 4 of 2025, which establishes the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre, in order to properly inform the public and address misconceptions surrounding the law.
The legislation reflects a deliberate and compassionate response by the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, to the growing population of elderly persons in the state and the long-standing absence of a structured, government-backed system dedicated to their care, welfare and social inclusion.
Over the years, senior citizens have made invaluable contributions to the development of communities, the economy and family life. However, ageing often comes with health challenges, social isolation and economic vulnerability. Law No. 4 of 2025 is therefore a social protection policy, not political symbolism, designed to restore dignity, care and relevance to elderly citizens in Abia State.
The law formally establishes the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre as a government-recognised institution. The Centre is neither a retirement home nor a place of abandonment. Rather, it is a coordinated hub where senior citizens can access support services, interact socially, receive guidance, participate in recreational and skills-sharing activities, and benefit from structured welfare programmes.
Through the Centre, the government now has a unified platform to plan, coordinate and implement interventions for the elderly across the state, replacing the previously fragmented and informal approach to senior citizens’ welfare.
The Centre is mandated to promote the welfare, dignity and quality of life of senior citizens by providing social, psychological and health-related support, while also serving as an advocacy platform for the protection of their rights. It is empowered to develop programmes, maintain a reliable database of elderly persons, facilitate access to healthcare and social welfare schemes, and collaborate with relevant ministries, agencies, non-governmental and faith-based organisations, as well as development partners.
Administratively, the Centre operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection to ensure accountability, transparency and alignment with the state’s broader social welfare policies. Funding will be sourced through lawful budgetary allocations, grants and approved donations, in line with due process.
Law No. 4 of 2025 represents a bold and humane policy decision that places Abia State among progressive states that recognise ageing as a governance issue and institutionalise care for senior citizens.
It is important to emphasise that the Abia State Senior Citizens Centre is not a cash distribution scheme. Rather, it is a structured social welfare and support system designed to provide care, coordination, dignity and inclusion for senior citizens, not direct financial handouts.
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