The Cross River State House of Assembly has officially passed the Senior Citizens Center Bill, 2025, into law, signaling a major stride in enhancing the welfare of the elderly population in the state.
Originally introduced on August 1, 2023, the bill underwent its second reading by August 10 before it was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions, and Conflict Resolution for further scrutiny.
Presenting the committee’s report, the Chairman and Deputy Leader of the 10th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta (Abi), emphasized the bill’s humanitarian significance. According to him, the proposed law seeks to establish a residential center dedicated to elderly individuals who are unable to live independently due to financial hardship or social abandonment.
“Many aged men and women are seen wandering the streets, having been abandoned or labeled as witches and ostracized from their communities,” Etta said. “This bill aims to provide them with a safe, supportive environment, complete with access to medical care and recreational facilities.”
Hon. Mercy Mbang Akpama, Member representing Yakurr II State Constituency and the only female lawmaker in the 10th Assembly, expressed deep satisfaction after the bill’s passage. Though the bill predates her tenure, she made it a personal priority upon entering the House.
“I feel both happy and fulfilled,” she told reporters. “Just a few days ago, senior citizens across Nigeria celebrated themselves—those aged 60 and above. It was a beautiful moment. Growing old is a privilege, and those who have served this nation deserve dignity, not neglect.”
Hon. Akpama extended her gratitude to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, the Judiciary Committee, and fellow lawmakers for their collective commitment to seeing the bill through. She voiced strong confidence that Governor Senator Bassey Otu would give his assent, noting that the bill aligns seamlessly with the governor’s people-focused vision.
She also pointed out that the Cross River State Senior Citizens Center Bill is a domestication of a federal initiative passed and signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Once operational, the center will be overseen by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Welfare.
With this landmark legislation, Cross River State sets a precedent in promoting dignity and care for the elderly, ensuring that those who contributed to society are not left behind in their later years.
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