In a country where we pride ourselves on Ubuntu and the African spirit of family solidarity, one story has left many Nigerians questioning what has become of our values. A blind, elderly man has been left to fend for himself on the streets, and the reason his children gave for abandoning him will leave you speechless.
The Heartbreaking Discovery
Olapeju Agunbiade, a compassionate Nigerian who has made it her mission to help vulnerable members of society, recently encountered an elderly man whose situation exemplifies the growing crisis of elderly abandonment in Nigeria. The man, now blind and frail, was found living in deplorable conditions with no shelter, no food security, and most painfully, no family to turn to.
What makes this case particularly disturbing is not just the abandonment itself, but the cold justification his children provided when contacted about their father’s welfare.
“We’re Taking Care of Our Mother Instead”
When Agunbiade reached out to the man’s children, hoping to reunite the family or at least secure some support for their ailing father, the response she received was as shocking as it was heartless.
According to the Good Samaritan, the children claimed they had made a deliberate choice to focus their care and resources on their mother, effectively leaving their father to suffer alone on the streets. No remorse. No plan to help. Just a matter-of-fact statement that they had chosen one parent over the other.
This response has sparked outrage across social media, with many Nigerians expressing disbelief that children could be so callous toward the man who helped bring them into this world.
A Growing Crisis in Nigeria
Sadly, this elderly man’s story is not an isolated incident. Across Nigeria, there is a disturbing trend of elderly parents being abandoned by their children, particularly when they become sick, disabled, or financially dependent.
In traditional Nigerian society, caring for aging parents was considered not just a responsibility but an honor—a way of repaying the sacrifices they made during our upbringing. The Yorubas say, “Ọwọ́ tí ó bá ẹni gbé, ló ń gbé ẹni wá,” meaning the hand that helps you up is the same you should help when it falls.
Yet, as modernization sweeps across our nation and economic pressures mount, some Nigerians are abandoning these sacred duties, leaving vulnerable elderly people to die alone and destitute.
The Legal and Moral Implications
While Nigeria may lack comprehensive laws specifically addressing elderly care and abandonment, what these children have done represents both a moral failure and potentially a criminal act of neglect.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has ratified, emphasizes the duty of children to care for their parents in old age. Additionally, the Nigerian constitution guarantees the dignity of every human being—a dignity that has been stripped from this blind father by his own offspring.
Beyond the legal framework, there’s a spiritual dimension that many Nigerians hold dear. Our elders have always taught us that how we treat our parents directly affects our own blessings and future. “Ọmọ tí kò gbọ́rọ̀ àgbà, ó fẹ́ fẹ́ àgbà wá” (A child who doesn’t heed elders’ advice will eventually join them in their struggles).
What Can Be Done?
Agunbiade’s intervention represents the best of Nigerian humanity—the willingness to step in when others fail. However, individual good Samaritans cannot solve this systemic problem alone.
We need:
1. Stronger Legal Protections: Laws that make elderly abandonment a criminal offense with real consequences.
2. Social Welfare Programs: Government initiatives that provide safety nets for abandoned and vulnerable elderly Nigerians.
3. Community Vigilance: Traditional institutions, religious organizations, and community leaders must speak out against elderly abandonment and support vulnerable seniors.
4. Cultural Re-education: A national conversation about our responsibilities to our aging parents and the consequences of abandoning them.
A Call to Conscience
To the children who have abandoned their blind father: your actions will not be forgotten. In a society where word spreads like wildfire, your names will become synonymous with ingratitude and cruelty. More importantly, you will have to live with the knowledge that while your father suffers alone, you had the power to help but chose not to.
To other Nigerians: if you know of elderly people being neglected or abandoned, speak up. Contact local authorities, religious leaders, or organizations dedicated to elderly welfare. Every elderly person deserves dignity, care, and respect.
How You Can Help
If you’re moved by this story and want to support vulnerable elderly Nigerians:
– Contact local NGOs focused on elderly care
– Volunteer at old people’s homes
– Check on elderly neighbors who might be struggling
– Share information about abandoned elderly people with authorities
– Advocate for stronger elderly protection laws
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This blind father’s story is a mirror held up to Nigerian society. What we see reflected back is uncomfortable, but it’s a reality we must confront. Our culture, our faith, and our humanity demand better.
The question now is: what will we do about it?
Have you witnessed cases of elderly abandonment in your community? What do you think should be done to address this growing problem? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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