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Speaker Abbas Backs New Law to Guarantee Free Healthcare, Financial Relief for Older Citizens
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has affirmed his backing for the proposed legislation aimed at granting senior citizens access to free healthcare in public facilities, along with tax reliefs and modest stipends to support their wellbeing.
Speaker Abbas gave his assurance in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at a public hearing on a bill designed to secure specific rights for older persons, ensuring they receive adequate health support, economic relief, and protection of their social and civil entitlements, convened by the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development during Wednesday’s plenary.
The Speaker who was represented by the Chief Whip of the House, Rep. Bello Kumon, noted that many of the benefits being considered were once naturally provided through traditional family structures.
He emphasised, however, that the House is committed to establishing a formal legal framework that shields older citizens from neglect and abuse, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect.
He said: “This Older Persons (Rights and Privileges) bill has become necessary because existing legislations, like the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018, have not fully taken care of the peculiar needs of older persons and their rights are constantly abridged by others, from family members to public institutions and the rest of society.
“This bill is therefore an attempt to provide comprehensive protection for the specific rights of older citizens and meet our obligations towards safeguarding their welfare.
“Section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, guarantees certain inalienable rights for every Citizen and forbids the discrimination of persons on the basis of religion or race or gender, but it fails to cover the peculiar injustices that old people suffer simply because they are old.
“The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 of the Constitution also make provisions for the well-being of citizens, but they are not obligations that are justifiable or enforceable.
“In sum, current policy and legal frameworks for the protection of old people are either fragmented or incomplete, and mostly cannot be enforced by the courts. This bill not only hopes to address a wider range of issues, including social and economic challenges, but also to provide a legally binding framework for older people.
“The important thing here is that old people are now to be protected by legally enforceable rights, and they can hope to get restitution from the courts if these rights or entitlements are breached. It is a very progressive bill which seeks to bring the social welfare programme available for old people up to date.
“It examines the pressures that joblessness, loneliness, neglect, insecurity, poverty, retirement, and health challenges foist on the aged and make provisions for safeguards and benefits that will enable them to live better. Proposed provisions include free medical services in government facilities, some forms of tax exemption, stipends, and protection against abandonment. Many of these were previously covered by traditional family support systems, but as those weaken, we must provide a formal legal structure that will protect the aged from abuse.”
In her remarks, Chairman, House Committee on Women and Social Development, Rep. Kafilat Ogbara explained that the provisions of this bill “reflect on our collective responsibility to ensure that our older population receives the dignity, respect, and support they deserve. I call it – Society giving back.
“As we know, older persons often face unique challenges that can affect their health, economic stability, and social engagement. This legislation aims to address these issues head-on by establishing a framework that guarantees their rights and protections.
“House Bill 2098 seeks to ensure health and economic relief for older persons, recognizing that access to quality healthcare and financial security are fundamental human rights. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting their social and civic rights, allowing them to participate fully in society and contribute their wisdom and experience.”
In his presentation, National Coordinator/CEO of National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Badamasi Lawal who was represented by Dr. Nsikak Okon urged that the Older Persons bill, 2025 under consideration should be harmonized with the National Senior Citizens Centre Act, 2018 for ease of operationability in supporting Older Persons in Nigeria.
On her part, Barrister Martins Ikagu who spoke on behalf of National Pension Commission (NPC), described the proposed legislation as a positive development which would further strengthen and expand the legal framework on social security in Nigeria.
While calling for review of the proposals in clause 2, 3(2), 4(1), 5, 17(1), 30 and 38(2) of the proposed bill, for contextual correctness, he reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to protecting the social rights of Older Persons, including retirees who have a constitutional right to earn pension after retirement.
According to him, “Section 3(2) of Part Ill on Rights of Older Persons: ThS section provides that older persons shail be entitled to five percent of the Social Protection Intervention Programmes of the relevant MDAs of the Federal Government. We are of the opinion that details of the relevant MDAs should be annexed to the Bill or provided in the Interpretation Section for appropriate guidance, implementation and enforcement.
“Section 4(1) on Rights of Older Persons: The side note to this section reads thus: ‘Mobility and Accessibility to Physical’. We observed that the sentence is incomplete and does not relate to the information in the referenced section. Accordingly, we advise that the sentence be reviewed for correctness and applicability.
“Section 5 on Minimum Wage: The section provides that indigent older persons shall be entitled to at least 25% of the National Minimum Wage as monthly stipends which shall be reviewed by the Federal Government every five years. We observed that the specific source of funding and custody of the funds to be utilized for the payment of the stipends were not provided. In order to achieve seamless implementation, we recommend that the source of funding and domiciliation of the dedicated funds for payment of the stipends should be determined and codified.
“Furthermore, in line with best global practices, we recommend the insertion of a provision that would mandate the participation of Nigerians in both formal and informal employment to some social security scheme, in order to become eligible to access the rights provided under the Bill. This would make the scheme sustainable ang reduce the financial burden that would otherwise be placed on the respective tiers of Government pursuant to the Bill.
“Section 17(1) on Provision for Accessibility Aids: This clause reads as follows: ‘At public parking lots, suitable spaces shall be Properly Older Persons Rights Bill, 2024 marked and reserved for Older Persons’. We observed that the provision is incoherent, possibly due to the inclusion of the highlighted phrase. We therefore, recommend that the provision be reviewed for correctness.
“Section 30 on Education must be subsidized: This section provides that: ‘The education of special education personnel shall be highly subsidized’. We observed that the provision is incoherent and does not focus on older persons as may have been intended. Accordingly, we recommend that the provision be reviewed for contextual correctness.
“Section 38(2): We observed that this Section does not have a side note. We recommend the insertion of a side note for ease of reference.
“We further observed that the Section provides that the Bill shall not aee| to persons who are beneficiaries under the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 the National Social Insurance Trust Fund Act 2004 and the National Provident Fund Act, 1961.
“We are of the opinion that this provision is contrary to the provisions of Section 42(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for being discriminatory also unnecessarily restrictive as it deprives persons who are beneficiaries of schemes under the referenced legislations from enjoying some social rights provided in the Bill but not Covered by the referenced legislations. For instance, the right to work, right to education, right to first consideration in queues and emergencies, right to rebates, provision of accessibility aids during transportation and access to buildings amongst others, are provided in the Bill but not covered under the referenced legislations.
“n view of the above, we recommend a review of the provision to bring it in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by making it nondiscriminatory and all-embracing.”
——As The Lawmaker offers Bursary to 84 Outstanding Students, Certificates In ICT To 1000 Others
The four-day grand finale of the Free training on information and computer technology, ( ICT) Programme sponsored by the Member Representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Prof. Paul Sunday Nnamchi, came to a successful conclusion on Sunday, 20th September, 2026 at St. Therese Parish, Phase Six, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.
The programme, designed to equip young people with essential digital skills and improve their capacity to thrive in today’s technology-driven world, featured Bursary Awards to 84 outstanding students and presentation of certificates to over 1,000 students and youths drawn from communities across the constituency.
Highpoint of the colourful event was the presentation of a special “Award of Excellence” to Hon. Prof. Paul Sunday Nnamchi in recognition of his commitment to youth development, education and community empowerment by the St. Therese Parish, of Catholic Church, Phase Six, Trans-Ekulu, Enugu.
Presenting the award on behalf of the parish, Very Rev. Fr. Franklin Udeze expressed profound appreciation to Prof. Nnamchi for his numerous contributions to human capital development and what he described as his outstanding performance in the National Assembly. He prayed that God would continue to bless, guide and strengthen him in his service to the people.
In his response, Hon. Prof. Nnamchi appreciated the parishioners, youths and students for the honour and recognition, noting that God’s grace and their prayers had been his strength.
He stated further that, “one of his primary objectives in the National Assembly is to ensure that students across Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency acquire computer literacy and essential digital skills”.
Prof Nnamchi also emphasized that the world had become increasingly technology-driven and that young people must be adequately prepared to participate meaningfully in the global community.
Earlier, the Programme Coordinator, *Engr. Igwe Daniel Nwachukwu, praised the parents and guardians for entrusting their children and wards to the programme and for supporting their participation throughout the excise.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to make meaningful use of the knowledge and skills acquired, stressing that the true value of the programme would be demonstrated through their ability to apply what they have learned to improve their lives, create opportunities and contribute positively to society.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Avian Chimeziterem expressed sincere appreciation to Hon. Prof. Nnamchi for remembering young people and providing them with such a valuable and impactful opportunity.
She thanked the lawmaker and resource persons for investing in their future and assured that they would make good use of the skills acquired during the one month intensive computer training programme.
The successful completion of the 4th edition, which trained 2,927 students marks another significant milestone in the lawmaker’s drive to promote digital literacy, youth empowerment and educational development in Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency.
By Gloria Ikibah
Ghana has called for stronger regional cooperation among ECOWAS member states to tackle the growing links between climate change, environmental degradation, population displacement and insecurity across West Africa.
The call was made on Tuesday by Ghana’s Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who represented President John Dramani Mahama at the official opening of the Second 2026 Parliamentary Seminar and Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Accra.
The seminar, being held under the theme, “Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Rising Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region,” is examining the growing impact of climate-related pressures on communities, livelihoods and regional security.
Opoku-Agyemang said the interconnected nature of the challenges required ECOWAS countries to move beyond isolated national responses and develop coordinated measures capable of addressing both the immediate consequences and underlying causes.
She said: “We need stronger early warnings, better support for host communities, more resilient livelihoods and better coordination across our borders, acting before local pressures become wider humanitarian crises”.
The Vice-President said climate change should no longer be treated solely as an environmental matter, arguing that its consequences were increasingly being felt in development, humanitarian and security sectors.
She cited population displacement across the Sahel and neighbouring coastal states, noting that insecurity, environmental stress and disrupted livelihoods in one part of West Africa could increasingly place pressure on communities and national systems elsewhere.
According to her, Ghana was working with ECOWAS to strengthen early-warning mechanisms through improved data sharing, closer coordination and stronger links between national and regional response systems.
Opoku-Agyemang also called for greater efforts to mobilise climate finance and invest in resilient agriculture, water management, coastal protection and clean energy.
According to her, ECOWAS already had important frameworks covering free movement, disaster risk reduction, climate action and early warning, but the priority should now be to ensure that the frameworks were fully implemented and adequately funded.
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, also called for climate commitments to be translated into practical measures through legislation, budgets and effective oversight.
“Our role is to ensure that public policy and budgets devoted to climate resilience … contain also the humanitarian dimensions, economic, social, migratory, and security concerns,” she said.
Ibrahima said recent flooding along parts of the region’s coastline had demonstrated how closely climate, humanitarian and security challenges were connected.
She therefore urged parliamentarians to use the seminar to develop practical recommendations capable of protecting vulnerable communities and preventing environmental pressures from escalating into conflict.
The Ghanaian Parliament called on ECOWAS member states to strengthen legislation on environmental governance, climate adaptation, disaster preparedness and sustainable management of natural resources.
It also urged governments to improve protection for displaced persons, refugees and host communities, while creating opportunities for young people and women through climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy and entrepreneurship.
The Second Deputy Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Hon. Andrew Asiamah, who represented the Speaker, emphasised that no ECOWAS member state can address the challenges alone.
He noted that rivers, ecosystems and environmental crimes did not respect national borders, making regional cooperation essential to tackling the problems.
Hon. Asiamah also warned that effective regional responses would require adequate financing, saying policies without the resources to implement them would remain largely aspirational.
The Head of the Ghanaian Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, said the regional Parliament had an important role to play in finding solutions to climate change and insecurity because lawmakers were closer to the people.
He called for a coordinated and holistic approach to the challenges confronting the region.
The Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament will also consider the institution’s 2027 budget and activity programme.
The parliamentary seminar forms part of ongoing regional efforts to examine the relationship between climate change, environmental degradation, population displacement and growing insecurity in West Africa.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for a new regional compact to tackle climate change, environmental degradation, population displacement and insecurity, warning that the region can no longer treat climate change as an environmental concern alone.
The call was made on Tuesday by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, General Birame Diop, represented by the Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Nassirou Bako-Arifari, at the Second 2026 Joint Parliamentary Seminar in Accra, Ghana.
The seminar, which runs from September 21 to 23, is focused on “Climate Change as a Driver of Environmental Degradation, Population Displacement and Rising Insecurity in the ECOWAS Region.”
Prof. Bako-Arifari said the consequences of climate change were already placing growing pressure on communities, livelihoods and regional stability, making coordinated action by governments and parliaments increasingly necessary.
He said: “The theme before us is not simply an environmental issue. It is a development issue, a humanitarian issue, a peace and security issue, and ultimately an issue of human survival and regional stability confronting ECOWAS member states. West Africa is among the regions of the world particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, desertification, coastal erosion, floods and the degradation of forests and farmlands are placing unprecedented pressure on communities and livelihoods.”
Naijablitznews.com reports that the World Bank has projected that West African countries could see as many as 32 million people moving within their own countries by 2050 because of climate factors if concrete climate and development action is not taken.
Bako-Arifari said ECOWAS had begun work to address the financing challenge facing climate action, including efforts to establish a regional carbon market platform under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
“Honourable Parliamentarians, Since 2024, the ECOWAS Commission has initiated an ambitious process aimed at establishing a regional carbon market platform in accordance with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a mechanism intended to mobilise necessary investments to address climate financing needs estimated at $294 bn for the region.
“Against this background, this Seminar is organised to provide a veritable platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, inter-institutional consultations to come up with concrete recommendations to strengthen climate resilience, human security and sustainable development in the ECOWAS Region”, he noted.
According to ECOWAS the region’s climate financing needs are estimated at $294 billion, while its regional carbon market initiative is being developed as one avenue for mobilising additional resources.
The ECOWAS commissioner placed particular emphasis on the role of parliamentarians, saying lawmakers had the power to translate regional commitments into national policies and practical action.
“This brings us to the critical role of Parliamentarians. Parliaments are uniquely positioned to translate regional commitments into national action. You provide the legislative frameworks, approve national budgets, exercise oversight and, importantly, serve as a direct bridge between governments and citizens”, he said.
Bako-Arifari proposed stronger climate-responsive legislation and oversight, increased domestic and regional financing, better early-warning systems and more inclusive management of natural resources.
“First, strengthen climate-responsive legislation and oversight. Our laws and policies must adequately address environmental protection, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable management of natural resources.
“Second, prioritise climate financing. Climate resilience cannot be achieved through declarations alone. We need predictable domestic and regional resources, while also mobilising international climate finance and strengthening access to available funding mechanisms.
“Third, strengthen early warning and early action. We must move from reacting to climate-related disasters to anticipating and preventing them. Regional early warning systems should be linked to communitylevel preparedness and rapid response mechanisms.
“Fourth, promote inclusive management of natural resources. Land, water, forests and fisheries must be managed transparently and sustainably. Local communities, women, young people, traditional authorities and other stakeholders must have a meaningful role in decision-making.
“Fifth, place youth and women at the centre of climate resilience. They are not merely victims of climate change. They are innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders and agents of resilience. Investing in their skills, enterprises and participation is therefore an investment in the future stability of our region.”
Bako-Arifari said ECOWAS must also strengthen cooperation among member states on climate adaptation, disaster management, food and water security, environmental protection and the management of resources shared across borders.
He therefore called for closer collaboration between governments, parliaments, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, the private sector, academia and development partners.
On the broader security implications, he said ECOWAS needed to adopt a wider understanding of security which went beyond the protection of borders and prevention of armed conflict.
But cautioned against waiting for environmental pressures to develop into humanitarian or security crises.
“The scale and complexity of this challenge require us to move from fragmented responses to a comprehensive regional climate-resilience and human-security agenda. We need a new understanding of security—one that recognises that security is not only about protecting borders and preventing armed conflict. It is also about ensuring that citizens have access to food, water, livelihoods, a safe environment and opportunities for a dignified life.
“We must therefore be proactive and invest in resilience before crises occur. We must protect our ecosystems before they become irreversibly degraded. We must create livelihoods before desperation drives communities into displacement. Last but not the least, we must address grievances before they become conflict”, he added.
The commissioner urged parliamentarians to ensure that the seminar produced practical outcomes rather than becoming another forum for discussing the region’s climate challenges.
“Let us build an ECOWAS region embedded in in which climate resilience is development planning; where displacement is managed with dignity; where natural resources become instruments of cooperation rather than sources of conflict; and where our young people see a future of opportunity rather than one defined by environmental vulnerability and insecurity.
“Let our efforts continue to advance peace, security, resilience and sustainable development in the ECOWAS Region as ECOWAS transitions from ECOWAS of States to ECOWAS of People and Prosperity for All”, he stated.
Prof Nnamchi Bags Excellence Award From Catholic Parish For His Investment In Youths(Photos)
Ghana Urges ECOWAS States to Unite Against Climate-driven Insecurity
ECOWAS Seeks New Regional Pact as Climate Crisis Threatens Security
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