The National Senior Citizens Day is celebrated worldwide on August 21st of every year. Technically we’re still in the throes of celebrating the life and times of people aged 60 and above.
In Western nations, seniors are reverred. They are accorded enormous welfare and social benefits. There are special concessions/discounts in shops, airports, transport hubs and retail establishments for them. They also celebrate their military veterans during commemorative occasions like Royalty.
It’s not uncommon over there to find senior citizens running for office or running conglomerates. President Donald Trump, is 79 during his second return to the White House. Ex-Presidents Bill Clinton, Joe Biden are still active in their late seventies.
Billionaire industrialist, Warren Buffet turned 95 this week. Billionaire media mogul, Rupert Murdoch still calls the shots at his media empire at 92.
King Charles 111 ascended the British throne at 73. Billionaire aviation guru, Richard Branson at 75 still runs the Virgin group. So I ask, why are seniors not allowed to breathe in Nigeria? Why are seniors not participating in national development, social causes and politics as is the case in other lands?
You can then understand my pleasant surprise when I recently ran into a group of seniors here in Nigeria. These wonderful folks, mostly women, are championing holistic lifestyle for professional women aged 50 and above.
They are committed to promoting self development, healthy lifestyle, travel experiences, networking opportunities and curated travel for their demographic.
According to Pst Mrs Yemi Nwokocha, one of the promoters of this project, “I have noticed the nonchalant neglect meted out to seniors in Nigeria. Hence our intervention to redress this ugly trend. Some of my friends have resorted to living with their children after omugwo duties out of boredom and loneliness.” And it’s not right., she concluded.
Lady Remi Davidson, another co-promoter of the burgeoning project chimed in ” it’s like once you are 50/60 in Nigeria you should just roll over and die. This is clearly wrong as this is the time to actualise those dreams of yours after retirement. I read somewhere that Col Sanders founded KFC at 62. Ray Croc started McDonald’s in his 60s. Martha Stewart started her lifestyle empire in her 50s. We intend to inspire more women to get busy.”
Women’s Hub accompanied the group to Treasures Leadership Holiday Academy for Teenagers in Lagos. A group of 40 teenagers were taught personal development, money management, public speaking and poise by volunteer seniors.
They’re planning an end of year retreat in Accra, Ghana to reinvent and reboot in 2026.
Obviously, there’s no stopping these classy ladies. Their slogan seems to be we’re retired but not tired.
Will you join these irrepressible women bent on flipping the table and adding vigour to an otherwise lackluster senior lifestyle segment in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Please join this conversation and send your comments and feedback to mooborscounsellingroom@gmail.com.
By Mubo Okosun
Women’s Editor.
