Attending Respect and Dignity of Aging or Getting Old Writes Solomon Olali-Igabo

Solomon Olali-Igabo is a public affairs analyst, he writes on attending respect and signity of aging or getting old examining the power age and celebrating great people with age.

The Bible book of Ecclesiastes states that there is time to be born and a time to die. Time to be young and time to be old. In the book Jeremiah Chapter 29:11 said “for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end”.

The peace of God surpasses every understanding; hence He has a good plan for man. He created in His image and likeness. Growing in age and strength are supernatural attributes or blessings of God.

Biblically, Methuselah lived for 969 years became the oldest man that ever lived in the world. Lamech his son lived for 777 years, Noah 950 years, Adam 930 years, Seth – 912 years. Others are Cainan – 910 years, Enos 905 years, Enoch – 365 years. Abraham, Moses, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph amongst others lived over 100 years. Despite their old ages they waxed strong and impacted their generations, and are still impacting lives today.

However, in our contemporary times today, the trend is different as many people hardly live up to sixty or fifty years while others die young at their prime without fulfilling their God’s giving purpose or destiny perhaps as a result of sin.

Evidently, some deaths are caused by man-made, others are orchestrated by the devil from the pit of hell. Living for an old age is one of the blessings from God. Though old age without impact is a wasteful age. The joy and excitement that follows aged people is worthwhile experience and most desirable.

Interestingly, the aged are given preferential treatment anywhere they are found. Their contributions and wealth of experience matters in both private and public life.

For example, the likes of Marcus Tullius Cicero, in William Shakespeare’s playwright Julius Caeser, was a Roman Statesman, Lawyer, Scholar, Philosopher, and writer highly regarded by the Roman people due to his old age and sought for his counsel during the civil war.

Old age or getting old should be celebrated because by strength shall no man prevail. It is the gift of God. It is expected that man should prosper in wealth and health which comes from the Almighty God alone.

Recently, Ivy Peggy born in 1914, the same year the first World War started celebrated her 109th birthday anniversary in grand style. Ethel Abraham an African-American, being the oldest woman in Georgia, Atlanta State in the United States of America also celebrated her 107 years. Again, Margaret Raven also celebrated her 101 years under pleasantries atmosphere.

Happily, Nigeria’s first beauty Queen at the Miss Nigeria Beauty pageant held in 1957, Chief Grace Atinuke Oyelude who clocked 93 years on the 16th of November, 2023 under pomp and fun celebration.

Zambia’s oldest driver, John Siapeya equally celebrated his 90 years on the 26th November, 2023 and he is still driving. According to the Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA) that John Siapeya has renewed his driver’s license and still waxing strong.

Here in Bayelsa State, King Joshua Igbugburu, Paramount Ruler of Bomo Kingdom and oldest Monarch recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Similarly, Chief (Engr) Sir Hans Suku-Ogbari of Nembe Kingdom also celebrated his 87th birthday, among other octogenarians who are still kicking fine in sound health and mind.

It is a good thing to get old and enjoy the blessings attached to it through Christ our Lord.

Instructively, in 1 Timothy 5:17 says; “let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially who labour in the word and doctrine”.

Our local adage has it that a place or community where there is no elder is bound to finish or suffer because the words of our elders are the Words of Wisdom.

Those that dine with elders with clean hands attract favour and divine lifting. Divine health and power comes from God.

Therefore, our generation should give respect and dignity to the aged in society in order to attract divine blessing for posterity yet unborn.

Solomon Olali-Igabo is a public affairs analyst, he writes on attending respect and signity of aging or getting old examining the power age and celebrating great people with age.