The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and welfare of senior citizens as it joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, with a renewed call for collective action against all forms of abuse, neglect and discrimination against older persons.
The event, organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, was held under the theme, “Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work.”
Speakers at the event stressed the need for families, communities and institutions to care for older persons, treat them with dignity, accord them the respect they deserve and protect them from emotional, physical, financial and psychological abuse.
Delivering her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Blessing Felix, said the welfare of elderly citizens has remained a priority of the administration of Governor Dr. Alex Otti.
According to her, the annual commemoration provides an opportunity to reflect on the often overlooked challenges confronting older persons, noting that many elderly people experience neglect, isolation and abuse despite spending the greater part of their lives contributing to family and societal development.
She explained that while awareness campaigns have helped expose the problem of elder abuse, genuine progress can only be achieved through practical action.
“Awareness alone cannot protect an elderly woman whose property has been taken away or an elderly man abandoned because he is no longer economically productive. Real progress begins when awareness is translated into action through compassion, stronger institutions and effective implementation of laws,” she said.
Mrs. Felix highlighted the enactment of the Abia Senior Citizens Centre Law No. 4 of 2025 as a landmark achievement of the present administration, describing it as a demonstration of government’s resolve to safeguard the rights and welfare of older persons.
She disclosed that Abia is among only four states in Nigeria to have enacted such legislation and announced plans to convene a multi-sectoral validation workshop to develop the implementation framework for the law.
The Commissioner also noted that the state government’s One-Stop Centre for survivors of abuse reflects its broader commitment to protecting vulnerable groups, including elderly persons, while acknowledging the humanitarian efforts of the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, for her consistent advocacy and support for senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.
Representing the Wife of the Governor, the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Chidera Emetu, assured elderly citizens that they remain a priority of the present administration.
She said the Abia Senior Citizens Law signifies government’s commitment to ensuring that growing old in Abia no longer means being forgotten.
Mrs. Emetu noted that retired public servants continue to receive their pensions promptly, describing the gesture as a demonstration of respect for their years of dedicated service.
She further revealed that through the Office of the Wife of the Governor, the state has implemented several interventions targeted at improving the lives of elderly persons, including cash support, affordable healthcare services, medical outreaches, food distribution, clothing and housing support.
Commending the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection for her dedication, she assured senior citizens that the administration of Governor Alex Otti would continue to protect their rights, preserve their dignity and improve their quality of life.
“As we reflect on today’s theme, let every home become a place of care, every community a sanctuary of respect, every institution an advocate for justice and every one of us a guardian of the dignity of our elderly citizens,” she stated.
The keynote speaker and Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mazi Ugochukwu Okorafor, described elder abuse as a growing global concern requiring urgent attention from governments and society.
He identified loneliness, neglect, age-related illnesses such as arthritis and rheumatism, as well as financial exploitation through cyber fraud and internet scams, as some of the major challenges confronting elderly persons.
Okorafor observed that developed countries devote significant resources to caring for their ageing populations and commended the Abia State Government for establishing the Abia Senior Citizens Centre, where elderly citizens are registered to facilitate the delivery of welfare services and ensure they feel valued.
He also condemned ageism, describing it as a harmful form of discrimination that deprives older persons of their rights and dignity, and urged governments, healthcare professionals, communities and families to work together to eliminate abuse, exploitation and social exclusion of senior citizens.
In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Uchechukwu Kalu, lauded Governor Alex Otti for his transformational leadership, saying no sector of governance has been neglected under his administration.
She also commended the Ministry for championing programmes that continue to improve the lives of vulnerable groups across the state.
The event featured the distribution of cash gifts and other support packages to elderly persons as part of the state’s commitment to enhancing their welfare.
Dignitaries at the event included Mrs. Eucharia Okezie, Wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly; Lady Joy Iheoma, Wife of the Mayor of Umuahia North Local Government Area; Mrs. Ifeoma Thomas, Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation; top government officials, traditional rulers, political appointees, , civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
