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By Cosmas Omegoh
New ways those above 60 can live more impactful lives, even beyond 80, were unveiled recently at the 2025 gala night for senior citizens in Ikeja, Lagos.
It was an end-of-year event exclusively for the older ones to have fun and enjoy friendship and savour rich food. It also showcased compelling life-changing values and opportunities to help older people crawl out of their corners and begin to enjoy much healthier and happier lives.
The annual event, which was organised by Reconnect Dynamics, was the third in a row. It followed tradition, enabling attendees to key into broader activities that further lend credence to the age-long belief that age is just a number.
On that fateful December 18, as dusk began to settle, the aura around the arena was clearly that of fun and happiness, as the oldies reared to rule their night.
The venue’s banquet hall ambience spoke about the expectations with its big, exquisitely decorated tables and chairs seemingly beckoning: “Come sit on me.”
The illumination in the hall was soft, same for the music in the air. The air conditioners kept belching out comforting humid air. Everything was right; an amazing moment was close at hand.
It was thought-provoking watching the senior citizens file in, decked in their colourful wears, some alone, some in twos, some in threes, their steps either measured or unstable. They were men and women – some of average, some of good means, coming from different backgrounds, united by their craving for fun – which some of them probably missed out while they were much younger, chasing other interests. And now they want to recover lost grounds as they press on seeking to discover new ways to enjoy life.
Although it was evident that age and time had slowed them down, their gait suggested that they were in high spirits as they trudged forward.
The programme of the night followed an admixture of formal and informal protocols; it began with opening prayers.
The convener of the event and visioner of Reconnect, Mrs Elizabeth Adebola Adedeji, in her opening remarks spoke about the agency’s mission of adding real value to the lives of older people.
She said: “Reconnect is a group of senior citizens above 60 who organically gather to have fun and learn to live better; our vision is to improve on our individual lives and that of the nation.
“Yesteryears, the assumption was that anyone above 60 was supposed to go and sleep and become inactive. But we are changing that narrative; we are here to prove that that bracket is the sunshine of life. It is a time when people give back to themselves and bring the vast experience they have garnered over the years to bear not only on their own lives, but those of people around them.
“So, here, we use cutting-edge ideas to rejuvenate the mindset of every one privileged to be part of us.”
She recalled how the idea occurred to her five years ago and how it finally got birthed three years later in 2022. And now, its rapidly increasing members meet monthly both online and on sight at agreed locations.
“We have various programmes which cover wellness, legal and financial literacy matters, family management and recreational activities and more which help to rejuvenate and sustain us.
“We teach aerobics, exercise for seniors, recreational activities like dancing, and music of yesteryears.
“We have members who are retired yet eager to offer their services in their respective areas. So, ours is a forum of egalitarian professionals from all walks of life.”
The event came under the chairmanship of Pastor Oluseyi Adeyemi, a former banker and vice president, Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a pastor at Worship Centre, Lagos.
It was great as participants listened to the provisions of the new tax laws as part of the enlightenment programme. They then went ahead to enjoy food, drinks, music and dance.
Certificates of awards for achievements were given to the quartet of Mrs Oluwatosin Shodunke, Mrs Abosede Ogunsonwo, Mrs Jumoke Odulaja and Mrs Olufumilayo Adedeji-Bajulaiye. Thereafter, the members spoke about how they had personally benefited from Reconnect activities.
Dr Abayomi Ogunbekun, a health professional and a member of Reconnect Board of Trustees, recalled how it all started.
“The idea was Mrs Adedeji’s. She later shared it with me and that was how we went ahead to fine tone it, register it and formulate its activities.
“We have lots of members – retirees: widows and widowers. We believe that life starts at 60. That one is retired does not mean they don’t have another life.”
He expressed happiness at the turn of things, informing that the occasion had become an annual ritual also used to appreciate their supporters and socialise the members before Christmas.
He said as a healthcare professional, the initiative remains perfect for members managing old age and helps them to remain active and healthy.
Giving more insight on the group’s activities, another Board of Trustees member, Prince Dapo Adelegan, a politician and entrepreneur, told our correspondent that “the idea is also to create a forum for interaction and to prove that there is life even in old age. The tendency that once one is above 60 they have to consign to a life of death must change.
“More importantly, we gather friends together and make them more useful.
“For me, this is also about giving back to society, having done business all my life. So, helping to keep people active is important to me.”
A member, Pastor (Mrs) Adebola Odimayo, spoke of her experience saying: “As soon as you join this group, you feel this sense of renewal; you begin to feel refreshed and younger inside you.
“Besides, it is an avenue to meet people and hear how they are faring. With this mind, there is no retirement – not in life, not in Christ and not with friends. You just keep going. You realise that the older you are, the more impactful you become.”
Equally, Mrs Jumoke Odulaja, an entrepreneur, spoke also about her personal experience three years after she connected with Reconnect.
“Over the years, we have had a lot of life-changing programmes. I have come to experience another dynamic about living. I have seen that when you retire, a chapter of you is closed, but God opens another.
“Indeed, this new chapter, for me, is a fantastic one. It is like I’m getting into my best years.
“I will even say that with Reconnect, I have become more productive now than I was when I was younger. I have rediscovered myself.”
She further said: “What we indulge in are things that make one live longer and live well. When you live better, you have sound health and when you do that you will never be a problem to yourself and to your family.
“When you look at what is happening in the world today, you ask yourself: do children nowadays have time for anything? Do they care any longer? So, the best thing for anyone above 60 to do now is to learn to live in a manner that they will not be a burden to anyone.”
Titilola Adedeji, daughter of the convener, and unarguably the youngest person on the night, described Reconnect as “such a noble initiative in Nigeria.”
She recalled that “after the Covid-19 pandemic, some old people hardly knew what else to do; it was either they were preparing for burial, children’s wedding or becoming nannies, forgetting that there is always something new to life to keep them going and to realise that they can on their own be motivated to do more.
“Therefore, older people need to know that there is no limit to getting better or achieving their dreams since dreams are not capped by age.
“Some people believe that once they are 80, they cannot do anything else. But they forget that once they are alive and breathing, they can still accomplish a lot more.
“Therefore, this initiative helps people to realise that the busier they are, the healthier they become and the more they can give back to the society,” further reminding every old person out there that they have ample reasons to keep living – healthier and happier.
