By Cosmas Omegoh and Henry Uche
Experts under the aegis of Nigeria, the Reconnect Dynamic Limited has tutored senior citizens in Lagos on ways to live healthier, happier and stronger.
During the engagement, a fashion designer, Larry Kayojomo, urged the senior citizens (some of whom are retirees) to follow the trend in fashion and dress up to catch attention.
“You need to spice up our appearances, do exercises and some funny things in a relaxed and fashionable way,” he urged.
Similarly, a nutritionist counseled them to beware of processed and can foods, fried and salty foods as they contain more preservatives which are inimical to their health, saying that the process of preparing foods is as good at the food itself.
“Christmas is by the corner; you must be careful of carbonated drinks and chemical foods. While you do whatever that pleases you, let’s not forget that our body system must react to whatever is given to it,” he warned.
Reconnect Dynamic founder, Mrs Elizabeth Adedeji, said she was worried by the sedentary lifestyle of most elder persons and that prompted her to establish the forum where senior citizens would reconnect with one another, share views /thoughts and business ideas they can embarked on even at 60 years above.
Elizabeth Adedeji maintained that senior citizens of 21st century are more informed and knowledgeable, thus, should not be told to ‘go and sit down’ but rather allowed to socialise and even participate in politics.
“We reject to sit down somewhere doing nothing. A lot of sicknesses would come when an older person sit idle. Most great leaders in the world are in the age bracket of 60-70. That’s why we’re calling every one of them to come on board and reconnect as well improve their psychological and physiological mindset of yesteryears.”
A trustee of the group, Dr. Abayomi Ogunbekun, stressed the need for a productive life after 60. He noted that most people who have made impact on humanity were in their sixties and seventies.
“In Africa they asked retirees to go home and rest, meanwhile their wealth of experience are needed and they can achieve more at older age.
“We should not tie ourselves indoors. When we relax, dine, wine and reconnect with one another, we know what we can do for and with each other. We welcome even widows and widowers, let’s do greater things together,” he implored.