Abia Hosts Presidential Media Team as Government Sustains Infrastructure Drive, Clarifies Senior Citizens Law

ABIA – The state government says it’s playing host to a high-powered Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team who are in the state to inspect federal and state government projects.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu who announced this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti said that the team would during the tour tomorrow traverse the state to inspect all the road projects impacted upon by the state government and so many other projects across the 17 local government areas of the state.

He described the visit as timely, lauding the cordial relationship between the Federal government and the State Government which has resulted in collaborations such as the proposed airport project and the recently flagged off Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Umuahia.

Prince Kanu said that the tour will be rounded off with a civic reception for the visiting presidential team by the state government.

On infrastructure development, Prince Kanu said that the Governor Otti led administration has sustained its aggressive road construction programme despite recently commissioning about 25 roads during its third anniversary celebrations.

He disclosed that direct labour operations have been carried out in 49 locations across the state, with two projects completed and three new ones added to the maintenance schedule of the state Ministry of Works.

The Information Commissioner also announced that the state ministry of Women Affairs in Collaboration with the Office of the wife of the Governor will today (Tuesday) celebrate the 2026 day of the African Boy Child on the theme; “Empowering Boys For A Greater Future ”

He said that the event holding at the ministry of Women Affairs will have in attendance one thousand Boys and will feature debate and quiz competition among others with attached prizes for all participants.

Prince Kanu noted that the ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection in collaboration with the office of the Wife of the Governor yesterday joined the global community to commemorate the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day,a Programme designed by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness on the abuse, neglect, exploitation and social exclusion faced by all persons across societies.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix, clarified misconceptions surrounding the state’s Senior Citizens Law, stressing that it does not provide monthly salaries or stipends to all persons aged 60 and above, noting that the state is among a few states in Nigeria with a legal framework specifically dedicated to the welfare and protection of senior citizens.

According to her, the Abia State Senior Citizens Law No. 4 of 2025 guarantees healthcare, social protection and welfare support for elderly persons, particularly those who are indigent and vulnerable, adding that under the law, any person aged 60 years and above is recognised as a senior citizen in the state.