Reps to establish council for the elderly

The House Representatives has commenced the process of establishing the National Council on Aging, which will provide social welfare services for the elderly.

When established, the of council will be saddled with the responsibility of promoting research into matters related to elderly persons, create a data bank, facilitate the formulation of policies in areas of finance, recreation, sports and healthcare.

The council will also provide guidance for counselling the elderly persons in Nigeria, among others.

At a public hearing on three bills in Abuja by the committees on women and social development, youth and telecommunications, stakeholders supported the establishment of the council.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has stressed the need for the political class to see their positions of authority as a means of pursuing the common good of society with a view to improving the living standards of the people.

Governor Dickson stated this in Yenagoa, at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Kemela Okara, a former Governorship candidate in

The chairman of the women affairs and social development committee, Stella Ngwu (PDP, Enugu), said the bill would also establish a fund for the council in which money approved by the federal government would be paid for the administration and activities of the council.

Gov Dickson swears in new SSG

the 2012 election.

In a press statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Francis Ottah Agbo, the Governor noted that, there will not be any meaningful progress and development in society, if leaders at all levels fail to exhibit the right values and discipline in carrying out their statutory duties.

He noted that, it was in realization of this deficit that his administration is making conscious efforts to create viable institutions and also nurture leaders that could take the state to greater heights.