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UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS 2025
October 2, 2025
UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS 2025
October 2, 2025
GKF

35TH UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS CELEBRATION BY VINCENT OBIAJULU

AUTHOR: globalknightsfoundation

A Transformative Narrative for Nigeria's Elders

The theme for the 2025 United Nations International Day of Older Persons, "Older Persons Driving Local and Global Initiatives: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being, Our Rights," resonates deeply with Nigeria's evolving society. As a retiree and development analyst, Vincent Obiajulu highlights how older persons are shifting from passive recipients to active drivers of change, addressing modern challenges with wisdom and resilience.
Redefining Legacy: Nigerian Older Persons Driving Local and Global Initiatives.
Commemorating UNIDOP, 1st October, 2025
by Vincent Obiajulu
The theme for the 2025 United Nations International Day of Older Persons, "Older Persons Driving Local and Global Initiatives: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being, Our Rights," presents a powerful and transformative narrative that resonates deeply with Nigeria's current socio-economic context. As a Nigerian retiree and development analyst, I see this theme as particularly significant for our nation, where older persons have traditionally been revered yet increasingly face marginalization in our rapidly modernizing society. This theme moves beyond viewing older persons as a vulnerable demographic to be cared for, and instead positions them as active, indispensable architects of our shared future, especially relevant as Nigeria grapples with complex development challenges.
The 2025 UN International Day of Older Persons will be commemorated with the theme "Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being, Our Rights," emphasizing the transformative role older persons play in driving action at both local and global levels. This perspective seeks to ground this global theme in the Nigerian reality, exploring what it means for our elders to be drivers of initiative in a context of unique challenges and opportunities.
The core of this theme lies in the verb "Driving." It signifies agency, leadership, and momentum, representing qualities that Nigerian older persons have demonstrated throughout history but which often go unrecognized in formal development frameworks. Over the years, they have driven from the Passive Recipients' Wheel to the Active Agents Seats. They are the bedrocks and invisible infrastructures that sustain social cohesion and development of our communities across Nigeria: how?
(i) They serve as custodians of indigenous knowledge systems, from sustainable agricultural practices to traditional conflict resolution mechanisms that are increasingly relevant in addressing contemporary security challenges.
(ii) As grandparents, they provide crucial childcare support, enabling younger generations to participate in economic activities while ensuring cultural transmission and value formation.
(iii) They function as informal social safety nets, offering guidance, modest financial support, and emotional anchoring in times of economic uncertainty.
(iv) Through organizations like the Global Knights Foundation of Nigeria, they create platforms for mutual support and continued community engagement, maintaining social connections that are vital for collective wellbeing.
Their experience and wisdom accumulated over a lifetime are invaluable assets in tackling complex global challenges. Nigeria's older leaders, diplomats, professionals, and activists bring perspective, historical context, and a unique form of resilience to forums on climate change, peace-building, and public health. Their long-term view is a necessary counterbalance to short-term political and economic cycles, advocating for intergenerational justice and sustainable policies. ]

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, recently emphasized that "peace is a prerequisite for human well-being," noting that without it, development, democracy and human rights cannot flourish . This recognition aligns with the essential role older persons can play in peace-building, drawing on their historical perspective and moral authority.
The theme boldly claims "Our Aspirations," dismantling the ageist myth that ambition and dreams are the sole province of the young. In the Nigerian context, aspirations in later life may shift, but they do not diminish as evidenced in:

(i) Lifelong Learning in Bridging the Digital Divide: The aspiration to master new technologies represents both a personal challenge and a national imperative. As Nigeria advances digitally, older persons seek to remain relevant and connected. This necessitates tailored digital literacy programs that acknowledge different learning paces and priorities, enabling meaningful participation in an increasingly digital society.
(ii) Entrepreneurship ("Encore Careers") in Leveraging Accumulated Experience: The desire to start social enterprises, turn lifetime hobbies into businesses, or consult in fields of expertise represents an untapped economic resource. With Nigeria's current economic diversification efforts, the accumulated expertise of older professionals could significantly contribute to sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and education through mentorship models and knowledge transfer initiatives.
(iii) Creative & Civic Expression in The Unheard Voices: The aspiration for creative and civic expression continues throughout life. Nigerian older persons are increasingly using their hard-earned wisdom to contribute to national dialogue, as evidenced by this UNIDOP commemoration in Nigeria featuring professional discussions with experts on mental health and wellness.
The Perspective of "Well-being" is the foundation upon which aspirations are pursued and rights are enjoyed. For older Nigerians to be drivers, their holistic well-being must be prioritized via:

(i) Physical Well-being in Navigating Nigeria's Healthcare Challenges: Accessing affordable, and age-friendly healthcare remains a significant challenge for many older Nigerians. The economic pressures facing the country exacerbate these challenges, making routine medications and specialized care increasingly unaffordable for those on fixed incomes. This reality necessitates innovative healthcare financing models and community-based support systems tailored to the needs of older persons.
(ii) Mental & Cognitive Well-being in Combating Isolation: The social isolation and loneliness experienced by many older Nigerians, particularly those in urban areas where traditional family structures have weakened, requires urgent attention. Community-based initiatives that foster social connections, such as the regular gatherings organized by senior clubs and religious institutions, play a crucial role in maintaining mental wellbeing.

(iii.) Financial Well-being in Navigating Economic Reality: Financial security through pensions and social protection systems that prevent poverty in old age remains an elusive goal for many Nigerians. The ongoing pension reforms and social security discussions must prioritize the unique vulnerabilities of older persons, especially those in the informal sector who constitute the majority of Nigeria's workforce.
The final pillar, "Our Rights," anchors the entire theme in the legal and moral framework of human dignity, with specific implications for Nigeria premised on:

(i) The Right to Participation In Ensuring Nigerian Elders Have a Voice: Ensuring older persons have a seat at the table where decisions affecting their lives are made is crucial from local council meetings to global policy forums. This UNIDOP commemoration in Nigeria represents a step in this direction, creating space for older persons to contribute to policy discussions that affect them .
(ii) The Right to be Free from Discrimination In Combating Ageism: Combating ageism in all its forms, in the workplace, in healthcare settings, and in the media, requires conscious effort in a society that often privileges youth. While Nigeria traditionally valued age, modernization has introduced new forms of age discrimination that must be addressed through public education and legal protections.
(iii) The Right to Protection In Safeguarding Against Exploitation: Safeguarding against abuse, neglect, and exploitation remains a critical concern, particularly as intergenerational solidarity faces strains from economic pressures. The National Senior Citizens Center represents an institutional response to these challenges, though implementation remains a work in progress.

The Power of 'Driving

From Passive to Active Agents"

The verb "Driving" signifies agency and leadership, qualities Nigerian older persons have long embodied. They sustain communities through indigenous knowledge, childcare, social safety nets, and platforms like GKF, proving their indispensable role in development.
The theme "Older Persons Driving Local and Global Initiatives: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being, Our Rights" is more than just a slogan; it is a blueprint for an inclusive, intergenerational Nigerian society. It challenges us to:

(i) Listen to the voices of older persons and integrate their perspectives into Nigeria's development planning, including the upcoming National Development Plan (NDP 2026-2030).
(ii) Invest in their well-being and lifelong learning through targeted policies that acknowledge their specific needs and contributions.
(iii) Create pathways for their continued participation and leadership across all sectors of society, drawing from their varied reservoirs, and recognizing their potential as agents of positive change.
(iv) Upholding their inherent rights without exception, strengthening legal frameworks and implementation mechanisms to protect their dignity. WHEN we empower older persons to be drivers, we do not just enrich their lives; we harness a vast reservoir of experience, stability, and wisdom that is critical for navigating the complexities of Nigeria's development journey. Their aspirations, well-being, and rights are intrinsically linked to our collective progress, making this theme a vital call for a more just and resilient Nigeria for all ages.
As we commemorate the 35th United Nations International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2025, let us embrace this theme as both a affirmation and a challenge to build a Nigeria that truly honors and leverages the potential of all its generations, recognizing that development is incomplete without the full inclusion of those who have built the foundations upon which we stand.

Vincent Obiajulu, a Retiree, Public Policy and Development Analyst.
+2348147778409
+2347011080776
medreena@gmail.com.

"When we empower older persons to be drivers, we do not just enrich their lives; we harness a vast reservoir of experience, stability, and wisdom that is critical for navigating the complexities of Nigeria's development journey."

Vincent Obiajulu

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