Over twenty elders from Umudora and Umuikwu Anam were given cause to smile as ABS Senior Presenter, Franca Ononuju shared two kilograms of Semolina and a cash of five thousand naira to each of the elders drawn from the two communities in commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, WEAAD, celebrated on every June fifteen.
The elders who gathered at Umunta Community Hall, the venue of the event were given a health talk on “Graceful Aging” by a nutritionist, Mrs. Chidimma Ngwu who told the elders things to do to keep healthy like eating well, socializing with people, exercise, explained also illnesses associated with old age as well as things to avoid.
The donor, Mrs Ononuju who took time to dance with the elders, encouraged them not to lose hope in the face of affliction and stigmatization, and to report any case of elder abuse in their community as the state government through the office of the Commissioner for Women and Social welfare will not smile with anybody who treats them badly.
ABS Correspondent,Oggorchukwu Oranu reports that Mrs. Ononuju and the Volunteer workers who accompanied her, also visited the home of some virtually impaired elders and those who could not make it to the hall and extended the largess to them.
One of the virtually impaired elders, Asikarali Akwaeze, who is above seventy years, captured attention as she lives alone without any assistance.
She narrated her ordeal of being childless and struggle to survive.
Some of the elders like Peter Chigbata, Chinwe Igboanugo also complained of age-related illnesses they were suffering from but do not have access to medical facility while eighty-eight-year-old Ezalo Obiora said it is the church that sometimes gives them the sum of one thousand naira each.
In an interview, Mrs Ononuju said she chose the two communities after seeing their plight during the time she came for enumeration in the community under the JDPC, and to tap the gift of longevity hoping that her little contribution will spur other well meaning citizens of the state to come to their aid as well as raise awareness on the plight of the aged and the need for relatives to take care of their aged ones.
The Catechist of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Umudora Anam, said the elders were selected based on family background and health issues, thanking the donor for her magnanimity and prayed God to bless her.
A ninety-nine-year-old Nwasah Chinwuba and Alfred Edozieuno who is seventy-five years old among others thanked the donor for putting smiles on their faces and prayed God to bless her.
The theme for this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is “Closing the Circle: Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Older Age-Policy, Law and Evidence -Based Responses.
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