…Celebrates Seniors Shaping Local and Global Action

The Centre for Happy Elderly People (CHEP) has marked the 19th International Day of Older Persons with renewed commitment to promoting the dignity, wellbeing, and rights of Nigeria’s elderly population. The celebration, themed “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being, Our Rights,” took place in Abuja and featured inspiring speeches, reflections, and new initiatives for the year ahead.

In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Jiringho Lilian Adanoritsewo, Founder and CEO of CHEP, described the day as “a reminder that aging is not a decline but a continuation of life’s beauty, wisdom, and grace.” She shared CHEP’s 19-year journey from a small community outreach to a nationally recognized organization championing elderly welfare.

“God gave me a vision — the word ‘Geriatric’ — which became the seed that birthed CHEP,” she said. “Today, our mission remains to bring joy, dignity, and care to older people, reminding society that they are not forgotten but treasures to be honored.”

Over nearly two decades, CHEP has provided food, healthcare, and companionship to over one million older persons across communities while advocating for elder rights and age-friendly policies in Nigeria. The organization also established the CHEP College of Nursing Sciences, nurturing a generation of geriatric-focused nurses in partnership with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and UNESCO.

Despite challenges such as limited funding, social stigma around aging, and the migration of trained caregivers, CHEP continues to press forward. “These challenges only strengthen our resolve,” Mrs. Adanoritsewo affirmed. “The elderly deserve more — more attention, more respect, and more love.”

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ifueko Bello-Fadaka emphasized that older persons are not merely recipients of care but active agents of social and global change. Her lecture, titled “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being, Our Rights,” called for recognition of seniors as leaders, visionaries, and contributors to societal development.

According to Dr. Bello-Fadaka, “Older persons are increasingly shaping communities and influencing global progress. They are mentors, caregivers, and advocates whose experiences are essential to building a fair and compassionate world.” She noted that as global life expectancy rises and fertility rates fall, the population of older persons is growing faster than any other age group. Citing United Nations data, she said the proportion of people aged 65 and above is projected to rise from 10% in 2022 to 16% by 2050 — a shift that presents both opportunities and challenges for society.

Dr. Bello-Fadaka outlined key aspirations of older persons, including maintaining physical and mental health, independence, and social connection. She underscored that good health, strong social networks, and a supportive environment are critical to enabling the elderly to live with dignity and purpose.

“Older persons deserve to do more than survive — they deserve to live well,” she said. “Well-being is a human right, not a luxury.” She also highlighted the importance of economic security, timely pension payments, access to healthcare, and protection from neglect and abuse.

On the issue of human rights, she stressed that seniors should live free from discrimination, with equal access to services, social participation, and respect. “No one should be ignored or mistreated because of age,” she added. “Rights do not fade with age — they must be defended and upheld.”

As part of its 20th anniversary plan for 2026, CHEP announced three major projects: the construction of a ₦300 million Age-Friendly Care Home and Elders Forum Centre in Jakande, the inauguration of the CHEP College of Nursing in Ota to serve as a hub for geriatric education and innovation, and the establishment of a Cemetery and Mortuary Services Commission to ensure dignified final care for the elderly.

Mrs. Adanoritsewo also reaffirmed CHEP’s dedication to expanding its health promotion programs, caregiver training, and social responsibility initiatives, emphasizing that the organization’s next chapter will be defined by “boldness, compassion, and legacy.”

In her concluding remarks, Dr. Bello-Fadaka urged society to reimagine aging as a source of strength rather than weakness. “Getting older is not something to fear, but to be proud of,” she said. “To every older person — your voice matters, your dreams matter, your wisdom is important. You are not a burden but a foundation and a force to be reckoned with.”

Mrs. Adanoritsewo echoed the same sentiment, calling on Nigerians to treat the elderly with honor and empathy. “Let us build a nation where aging is celebrated, not feared — where every older person can say, ‘I am seen, I am valued, I am loved,’” she said.

The 19th International Day of Older Persons celebration reaffirmed CHEP’s leadership in championing elderly welfare in Nigeria and globally, while highlighting the growing movement to ensure that older persons are not just cared for but heard, respected, and empowered to shape the world around them.