A Non Governmental Organization – “OFFTHEHOOK FOUNDATION FOR RURAL DWELLERS has urged the Federal and State Governments to evolve sustainable programs to cushion the plight of PENSIONERS
Ugoeze Chigbo Nwamara – Founder of the Organization noted that both the economic and health conditions of Nigerian pensioners were terrible
According to her, ” it was callous, inhuman and irreligious for families to abandon their aged poor parents while alive but only to extol and accord them expensive burials upon death.”
Also believed, ” it is very unfortunate that Governments which the pensioners served meritoriously would continue to toy with the life of the pensioners, ”
Nwamara who is the wife of the traditional ruler of Umueze Chokoneze – HRH Eze Mike Nwamara (Ezeukwu II of Chokoneze) Ezinihitte Mbaise council area, Imo state made the call at a ceremony marking the “2022 International Older Person’s Day celebration held at the Chokoneze Primary School field Umueze and which had the theme “RESILIENCE OF OLDER PERSONS IN A CHANGING WORLD OF OLD PERSONS” with medical session, exhibition, competitions, displays, entertainment and gift outreach as well as presentation by older persons as highlight.
She recalled with regret, the pathetic case of an aged woman whose son lived far off from the village and abandoned her because of the erroneous belief he keyed into that the aged mother was a witch.
“Not even his kits and kins could convince him into disbelieving this imbibed and built – in impression about his aged mother”.
The aged mother according to her, lonely and neglected eventually suffered heart break for many years, died in agony but only to receive a very befitting and Queen like burial.
Nwamara explained that the ceremony was meant to raise awareness about issues / plight faced by the older persons and also appreciate the contributions that they had made and are still making in society.
“This day serves as a hall mark and reminder of the significant role older persons play in traversing global challenges and contributing to their solutions with resilience and fortitude and it is a wake up fall to us all to arise individually and collectively as much as we can to care for and support our older persons who have contributed so much to our world”, stressing that abuse and discrimination against them are evil.
Speaking at the ceremony which equally featured spiritual talks by the Vicar in-charge of St. Paul’s Anglican Church – Venerable Stephen Nwagazie, presentation by the Omenukor Foundation “Ugoeze Aguwamba Eileen Chinedu – Proprietress – “Prince and Princess Foundation Nursery and Primary School Okpofe” explained that celebration of the older persons embraces family awareness, community awareness, international awareness and Health Awareness even as she proffered remedies for common health issues.
Aguwamba said that taking cognizance of the awareness events involved in the case of the older persons, support and promotion of health and services, patience, tolerance, availability of a skilled care-giver and encouragement, improved financial stand would help the older persons to thrive in the changing world.
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