Following the directive of the National Senior Citizens Forum, Abia State chapter yesterday approached the Abia State Government for the domestication of the forum in the state.
Speaking in Umuahia at the occasion of their meeting, the Co-chair and Facilitator of the forum, Ottih Nwaka disclosed that the intention for the domestication of the forum in Abia is to care for the senior citizens and to extricate them out of lack of care.
Addressing the state Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Deaconess Rose Urenta, Nwaka explained “we are coming to see how we will domesticate the forum in Abia state”, disclosing that soon, Elderly Day will will be celebrated in the state.
Also speaking, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Rev. Jane Omereonye said “the forum will help pursue vigorously the activities of the aged who die due to lack of care. Nigerian society is at the age where the aged is neglected”, and called for allocation of funds for the elderly as is being done for women, children and youths.
She said a man who is 60 years is not old but at the point old age is being initiated, expressing her excitement that the forum is in the state following what the federal government kick-started through the National Elder Citizens Centre, Abuja.
Responding, the state Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Deaconess Rose Urenta assured that the forum will be domesticated in the state to the benefit of all the elderly, stating “the desire to render good life to our senior citizens is good”.
She further assured to engage the Abia first lady on the matter.
