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