The House of Representatives has urged enhanced care, privileges and protection of the economic and civil rights of older citizens, stressing the need to improve their overall well-being.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering remarks at the opening of a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
The hearing focused on a Bill for an Act to Provide for Older Persons to Ensure Health and Economic Relief and Protection, for Their Social and Civil Rights, and for Related Matters.
Represented by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Bello Kumo, the Speaker said the legislature is committed to introducing measures that will guarantee specific privileges and safeguard the rights of older Nigerians. He noted that Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, protects the inalienable rights of citizens and prohibits discrimination based on gender, but “fails to cover the injustices that old people suffer simply because they are old.”
He added that although the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 of the Constitution provides for citizens’ welfare, these provisions are not enforceable. According to him, the existing policy and legal framework for protecting older persons is “fragmented or incomplete and mostly cannot be enforced by the courts.”
The Speaker assured that the House intends to pass progressive legislation that will establish social welfare programmes designed to support older persons throughout their lifetime.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Kafayat Ogbara, stated that the committee is committed to ensuring that the voices of older citizens “are not only heard but are empowered by society.” She assured stakeholders that the committee would work toward legislation that will function as a safety net for Nigeria’s elderly population.
During the hearing, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajia Binta Bello—represented by Mr. Nnamdi Obi—emphasised the need to strengthen existing laws on the care of older or senior citizens. The agency expressed concern that creating another law might result in overlapping responsibilities among ministries, departments and agencies.
Other major stakeholders, including the National Human Rights Commission, the National Pension Commission and several organisations, supported the bill’s passage with minor amendments.
Hon. Ogbara concluded by assuring that all submissions would be thoroughly reviewed by the committee to ensure effective and people-friendly legislation for older citizens.
