By Sam EFERARO
I actually became a senior citizen some eight years ago but this did not quite sink in until recently. Don’t blame me, I couldn’t see much difference in my lifestyle as I carried on my daily activities.
But some questions are beginning to prop up as I’m now realizing that old age is indeed here. I must confess some things are changing. Suddenly, I can no longer walk as fast as I used to: the legs seem heavier these days. There’s the nagging body pain, reduced food appetite, no urge to drive around or even run after stories. I don’t need anyone to tell me I’ve slowed down greatly.
But my health remains great: optimal BP reading, well controlled blood sugar (less than 100 mg/dl most times (I’m hypertensive and diabetic). My last health check revealed the liver and kidneys are in good shape. Well, a scan showed “enlarged” prostate but doctors assured me there’s no cause for alarm with my PSA of 1.8ng/ml.
Honestly, with my health, I feel like returning to the newsroom. I believe the urge to start chasing after stories will return once I have a feel of the newsroom again, even with my wobbling legs and fragile waist. These days I feel a tinge of envy each time I see journalists of my age or even almost 70 overseas still reporting. I honestly won’t mind being on the field.
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Now, I feel really old. I can see some young guys shaking their heads, some even laughing their heads off. “See this old man,” they are probably saying now. “So, e never do you abi?” “You still want to come back to the newsroom to compete with your children?” I can even see some editors or managers in their 30s or early 40s wondering how they will deal with me as a reporter. You want to send a 68 year old man to the 7-hour ruling of the Supreme Court?
But my health and state of mind tell me I can still do most of these things if given the chance. Of course, the youths must be given the opportunity to grow and also have their time but I don’t see why I should be forgotten because of my advanced age.
This is why these days, I just can’t help wondering what growing old portends in Nigeria. This is a country that seems not to have plans for those in the ‘productive’ age, how much more the ones who are just a stone throw to the grave. A country where you are on your own as an individual and must fend for yourself. In the street parlance, “Nigeria no send.”
So, if I can’t get a job, if no one will ask how I feel, if no one thinks after many years of service, my country does not owe me anything then, I must tell my story. I will share my experience as I traverse this rough, tough and lonely ageing route. I will tell what my country has to offer me for all the years I spent giving my all as a youth and now as a senior citizen.
Do I deserve some attention as I try to cope with the old age symptoms and challenges? Do I need any assistance if my savings can no longer take care of all my needs? Should I expect to be given some preference when I wobble my way to the bank, supermarket or I need to move around in public transport? I know this is a country with strong culture of according respect to elders but can I still expect such respect with my bank account perpetually in the red? Does my voice still count in the affairs of this country? We’ll see as I share my experience.
Last year, I tried reaching out to my new ‘constituency’. I initiated a chat with an official of the National Senior Citizens Centre and he promised to get back to me. That was in October and I’m yet to hear from him. Sign of things to come?
Happy birthday to me at 68. I’m not really a birthday person. But my church, The House of Praise, RCCG Sango Ota made today a most memorable day I will never forget. The whole church sang “Happy birthday” for me. Ha! Me? Oh, I forgot I’m a senior citizen! God bless my Pastor and everyone.
