A nonagenarian, 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.

Ms Ojie, a 91-year-old great-grandmother, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during an awareness walk organised by the Christian Centre for Mission, Family and Leadership Awareness (CEMFLED) to mark the 2026 International Grandparents Day.

Speaking on the challenges facing the elderly, Ms Ojie noted that senior citizens often battle health complications, loneliness, abandonment and societal neglect despite their lifelong contributions to nation-building.

“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.

“We need the parliament to pass laws guaranteeing free medical attention and shelter, especially for the homeless elders who roam the streets in search of means of livelihood.

“If the government provides health care and housing, Nigeria will be a better place for us all,” she said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of CEMFLED, Isaac Komolafe, explained that the event was organised to highlight the critical role of grandparents in national development, moral upbringing and family preservation.

Mr Komolafe urged the legislators to enact laws protecting older persons from abuse in hospitals, banks and the public transport sector.

He also advocating commercial discounts and prioritised public service for the senior citizens.

“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 honour, free healthcare and legal protection,” Mr Komolafe said.

In his contribution, a 75-year-old retired cleric, Tujie Akejoade, decried the systemic neglect of retirees and the hardship associated with pension administration in Nigeria as worrisome.

Mr Akejoade called for robust social policies and the restoration of societal integrity to safeguard the dignity of the elderly, noting that older citizens should not have to face life-threatening ordeals to access their retirement benefits.

“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. We must restore integrity to governance and build systems that protect our elders before it is too late,” he said.

Also, an Abuja-based businessman, Anthony Ojie, who accompanied his 91-year-old mother to the event, called on the government to build recreation hubs, specialised day-care centres, and structured transport systems for senior citizens to boost their mental health and social integration.

He noted that establishing senior care centres and recreational hubs would address mental health challenges and isolation experienced by many elderly Nigerians, thereby easing the caregiving burden on families. 

(NAN)