Abuja: A nonagenarian, Mrs. Mabel Ojie, has called on the Federal Government to pass legislation to provide free medical care, housing, and institutional support for elderly citizens across the country. Ojie, a 91-year-old great-grandmother, made this appeal during an awareness walk organized by the Christian Centre for Mission, Family and Leadership Awareness (CEMFLED) to mark the 2026 International Grandparents Day.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ojie highlighted the challenges facing the elderly, noting that senior citizens often battle health complications, loneliness, abandonment, and societal neglect despite their lifelong contributions to nation-building. She emphasized the need for government intervention, stating, “As elders, our physical strength is waning, but we carry wisdom to guide the next generation. The government has not done enough; we should not beg for basic care after our contributions to nation-building.”
Ojie further called for legislation to guarantee free medical attention and shelter, especially for homeless elders who roam the streets in search of means of livelihood. She expressed her belief that government-provided healthcare and housing would improve the quality of life for all Nigerians.
Dr. Isaac Komolafe, Executive Director of CEMFLED, also spoke at the event, explaining that it was organized to highlight the critical role of grandparents in national development, moral upbringing, and family preservation. Komolafe urged legislators to enact laws protecting older persons from abuse in hospitals, banks, and the public transport sector. He advocated for commercial discounts and prioritized public service for senior citizens, stating, “Grandparents are custodians of our legacy and moral values. They served the nation in their youth and it is time for society and the government to pay them back with honor, free healthcare, and legal protection.”
Rev. Tunji Akinyoade, a 75-year-old retired cleric, contributed to the discussion by decrying the systemic neglect of retirees and the hardships associated with pension administration in Nigeria. Akinyoade called for robust social policies and the restoration of societal integrity to safeguard the dignity of the elderly, noting that older citizens should not face life-threatening ordeals to access their retirement benefits. He remarked, “In developed nations, definite policies exist to care for senior citizens. In Nigeria, pensioners collapse and die in queues trying to access their rightful benefits.”
Mr. Anthony Ojie, an Abuja-based businessman who accompanied his 91-year-old mother to the event, urged the government to build recreation hubs, specialized day-care centers, and structured transport systems for senior citizens to boost their mental health and social integration. He noted that establishing local senior care centers and recreational hubs would address mental health challenges and isolation experienced by many elderly Nigerians, thereby easing the caregiving burden on families.