A law that will provide for the establishment of National Council for
the Elderly Persons with the aim of providing welfare services, develop programmes and activities for their advancement in Nigeria is underway.
When passed, it will promote research into matters relating to elderly persons, create data bank, formulate policies in areas such as finance, recreation, sports and healthcare, as well as provide guidance for counseling for elderly persons.
In an address at the public hearing on social welfare for the Elderly,
Unemployed, Youths, the Indigent and Nigerian Children’s Trust Fund (amendment) Bills held at the National Assembly , Abuja, chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Princess Stella Ngwu, explained that the Bill further seeks to establish a fund for the council which money, as may be approved by federal government, will be paid into it for the administration and activities of the council.
Accordingly, the Unemployed Youths, Elderly and Indigent Sustainability Allowances Trust Bill has creatively proposed to establish a fund to be known as the Unemployed Youths, Elderly and Indigent Sustainability Allowance Trust Fund with 30 per cent of the money accruing from the communication service tax, to be utilised for the payment of stipends to the unemployed, subsidise infant, hypertension and diabetes drugs.
Hon. Ngwu said the public hearing was organised to create a window of participation for all Nigerians in the legislative process for the enactment of laws relating to the elderly, the youth and children.
The Bills for an Act to Establish the National Council on Ageing, to provide social welfare services for the elderly and for purpose of designing development programmes and activities for the advancement of elderly persons in Nigeria; and for related purposes, 2015 was sponsored by Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor, Delta State, while the Unemployed Youths, Elderly and Indigent Sustainability Allowances Trust Fund Bill, 2016 was sponsored by Hon. Saheed Akande Fijabi.
Similarly, the Bill which seeks to amend the Nigeria Children’s Trust Fund, to set up a suitable Board of Trustees for the proper administration and distribution of welfare service and relief to Nigerian children in need and for related matters, was equally sponsored by Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor.
