Old age must not become a sentence of neglect, Abia Govt declares

Gov. Otti

By Steve Oko

UMUAHIA — The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and welfare of senior citizens, declaring that old age should never become a sentence of neglect, abuse or abandonment.

The government said it would continue to strengthen social protection programmes and implement the Abia State Senior Citizens Law, 2023, to ensure the care, protection and inclusion of older persons.

Speaking at the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day commemoration in Umuahia, themed “Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work,” the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, said the law was enacted to guarantee that growing old does not mean being forgotten.