ABEOKUTA– The Bashorun Fatai Idowu Arobieke Annual Lecture on ageing, with the theme, “Maintaining Independence in Older Age and Challenges of Elder Abuse in our community”, has raised hope for older persons in Nigeria
The lecture held at Madam Sarah Arobieke Memorial Hall, Odogbolu was one of the series of events organised to celebrate the 77th birthday of the great philanthropist and amazing Icon in Ogun State, which also coincidence with the 7th year anniversary of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Oke Ibunkun in Odogbolu, the headquarters of Odogbolu Local Government Area.
This is the second edition of Fatai Idowu Arobieke Annual Lecture on Ageing in Nigeria FIAALAN, which consist of over 80 older persons who are over 60 years and above in attendance.
The theme, which was deliberately picked based on the current challenges older persons in Nigeria are presently facing and tackling the issues in the community for older persons to be encouraged, build resiliece and enjoy quality of lives through continuous knowledge, supports and awareness in older age.
The lecturer and CEO, Age Nigeria Foundation, Oluwayemisi Oluwole, said “between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%.”
With this kind of an ageing scenario, there is pressure on all aspects of care for the older persons in Nigeria– be it financial, health , social, or shelter or transportation.
“With the onset of the 21st century, the growing issues of older persons in Nigeria is very visible and we must start talking and taking bold steps about older people issues in Nigeria and bringing those pressing issues to the door steps of our government and community leaders but the older people must be involved and be part of the solution to their problem in our nation.
Nigeria has the biggest population of vulnerable older people in Africa.
“We are concerned with the unattended problems facing the older people in our society like Ageism, discrimination against Older People, people living with disability, Elder Abuse, Gender Inequality, poor economic downturn etc as they affect the older people among others which are not considered as a policy problem. This has propelled Age Nigeria Foundation to intervene, fight for their rights, bring in elder welfare programmes to uplift the lives of Older People and encourage their continued participation in the society.
Age Nigeria Foundation Lecture on Maintananing Independence in Older Age and Challenges of Elders abuse in our community.
“Independence is the ability to perform actions of daily living and participate in society , with support if necessary , according to one’s will and preferences.
Autonomy is the ability to make choices and decisions with support if necessary , according to one’s will and preferences.
No matter our age, we all strive to enjoy our independence. From the time we were born, our parents taught us how to care for ourselves until we reach adulthood.
“Then we begin the process of teaching our own children the value of doing things for themselves. Success, happiness and other life achievements are often the result of doing things on our own. Independence is instilled in us throughout life — and the desire to be independent does not diminish with age. If anything, it becomes more important to seniors.
“Independence is sometimes the only thing seniors may feel they can control as certain aspects of their life change with age. Additionally, maintaining independence promotes a sense of achievement that for many seniors generates a great sense of self-worth and well-being.
“Even when serious disability or illness occurs, these personal resources and social capital increase choices, and enhance the likelihood that an individual can access services, be supported informally, and stay living independently.
An older man who Is homebound received his package courtesy Madam Sarah Arobieke Memorial Foundation last Saturday.
“From the perspective of habits and confidence, older people are more likely to be active and happy in older age. if this has been the case earlier in life. It a great pleasure that l have met Seniors Citizens here in our community who make me happy because they are not only active but happy and are independent- Being in control of themselves and contributing to their communities. Some of them are members and pillars of our foundation including our own lcon, Bashorun Fatai Idowu Arobieke”, she said
Oluwole delved more on elder abuse with practical examples in our society, she also highlighted challenges that older persons faced in older age.
The challenges associated with elder abuse include underreporting, Lack of awareness and recognition, Social isolation and dependency.
She added that, “In the second decade of 21st Century the serious social issues of elder abuse has not caught the expected attention of government and community leaders.” She further said “elder abuse is located within the contest of the Domestic Family violence which along with child abuse and domestic violence is underpinned by issue of power and control. There are similarities between the three domains of abuse and each stage of life needs it’s own framework for understanding and adressing specific issues”
It was not a coincidence that while the lecture on Maintaining Independence in Older Age and Challenges of Elder Abuse in Our Community was going on, far away in Abagama town, Njikoka Local Government Area in Anambra State, the Nigerian Police arrested one Mrs.Ukamaka Udugbo for allegely beaten her 75 year old mother, whom she accused of deficating after taking her bath. This incident of physical abuse went viral on social media this penultimate Friday. The victim was terribly molested and beaten by her own biological daughter.
Elder abuse is prevalentce in our society but largely underreported, thank God for social media that picked the case of Udamaka Udugbo, who physically abused her own mother. This could be just the tip of the iceberg.
The chief host was our father in the Lord, Pastor Adeniyi Samson while giving the closing remarks prayed for all elders in the community and challenged families, communities and government at all levels to show more duty of care to older persons especially those who are vulnerable. The Man of God also called for more supports and Donors for NGOs that care and protect older persons in the society.
Age Nigeria Foundation through her Advocacy and Awareness Unit reaches more people in the country through advocacy and awareness.
Bashorun Arobieke has been there for older persons since when his father was still alive and cared for all his parents contemporaries till they all passed on. He has established an NGO to continue with the legacy of care for older persons in Odogbolu community. The foundation was established in memory of her late mother, Madam Sarah Arobieke Memorial Foundation.
After the lecture, over 30 selected older persons present received nutritious food items that will help them beat hunger.The following day more older persons were reached with food items in their respectives homes especially those who are advanced in age and frail, elders living with disability and needy people too courtesy Madam Sarah Arobieke Memorial Foundation.
In our strategic plan to make Odogbolu Community a global hub for older people, In line with United Nation Decade of Healthy Ageing, 2020-2030 and UHC 10 year strategic plan for older people, in line with Sustainable Development Goals SDGs, Age Nigeria Foundation now has four daycare centers for older persons in Odogbolu. The centers will take care of their basic needs which include Food Bank, Drugs, Community Care, Recreation, Livelihood and AFC.
The convener, Bashorun Fatai Arobieke who organised the Lecture as part of his 77th birthday celebration and 7th year anniversary of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Oke Ibukun, Odogbolu, has promised that Lectures on Ageing in Nigeria will be held twice in a year as against once for the benefits of all generations in Odogbolu community.
