Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has called for a radical shift from mere awareness to enforceable legal protection for the elderly, urging society to eliminate all forms of abuse, neglect, discrimination, and exploitation against senior citizens. The appeal was made on Monday, June 15, 2026, in a press statement commemorating the 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a global event observed annually on June 15 to highlight elder abuse as a critical human rights issue.
Mrs Soludo stated that the primary objective of this year’s campaign, themed “Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work,” is to transition from merely acknowledging elder abuse to actively implementing robust prevention strategies, strengthening protective laws, and ensuring the safety and dignity of older adults worldwide. “As we observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day today, we stand in renewed solidarity with our senior citizens and reaffirm our commitment to protecting their dignity, rights, and well‑being,” the Anambra First Lady said. “Our elderly men and women are custodians of wisdom, culture, and values. They deserve to age with respect, care, and security, free from neglect, discrimination, exploitation, or any form of abuse.”
She emphasised that families, communities, and institutions must collectively create environments where older people feel valued, heard, and protected. “How we treat our elders reflects the strength of our humanity,” she said, adding that sustained efforts are required to ensure that senior citizens enjoy the dignity and quality of life they truly deserve. The Anambra First Lady also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to standing in solidarity with elderly citizens, whom she described as the custodians of wisdom, culture, and societal values.
Her call comes amid growing concerns over the prevalence of elder abuse in Nigeria. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned that many elderly citizens continue to suffer abuse, neglect, and exploitation in silence. A study conducted at the General Outpatient Clinic of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital found that 37.7% of older adults surveyed experienced emotional abuse, while 19% reported physical abuse and 10.1% suffered financial exploitation. The NHRC has also noted that the growing population of older persons in Nigeria has been accompanied by an increase in cases of elder abuse, which takes multiple forms, including psychological abuse, neglect, and harmful traditional practices.
The United Nations officially recognised the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in 2011, after it was established by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006. The annual observance aims to unite communities, organisations, and governments in opposing the mistreatment of older adults. Mrs Soludo’s message aligns with that global objective, as she urged a collective shift from passive recognition to active implementation of prevention strategies and protective laws.
While the Anambra First Lady focused on legislative and community action, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also marked the day with a separate call for stronger protections for the elderly. “Today, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2026, with the theme ‘Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work,’ I call on us to do more to protect the dignity, rights, safety, and wellbeing of senior citizens,” Mrs Tinubu said in a statement. She noted that many elderly citizens continue to face physical, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse, and stressed that as populations age, systems of care and social protection must be strengthened to ensure no older person is left vulnerable or abandoned.
Similarly, the National Human Rights Commission has intensified efforts to address elder abuse. In May 2026, the NHRC trained its staff on combating elder abuse, describing the move as timely and necessary given the rising cases of abuse against older persons. The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, noted that the training was designed to equip staff with the knowledge and tools needed to identify, document, investigate, and advocate against elder abuse effectively. He stressed that older persons are rights‑holders entitled to dignity, equality, and full protection under the law, and that they must not be excluded from the national human rights protection framework.
Mrs Soludo’s advocacy is consistent with her broader humanitarian focus. The Anambra First Lady was named the 2025 Humanitarian First Lady of the Year in Healthcare and Child Support at the Nigerian Humanitarian Awards & Magazine ceremony, an award that recognised her extensive contributions to community health and child welfare across the state. Her Healthy Living initiative has also gained national recognition for its healthcare advocacy.
The 2026 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day served as a platform for multiple voices calling for action, but Mrs Soludo’s message stood out for its emphasis on legal enforcement and community responsibility. “Let us use this day as a reminder that how we treat our elders reflects the strength of our humanity,” she said. “Together, let us champion kindness, inclusion, and support for our senior citizens, ensuring they enjoy the dignity and quality of life they truly deserve.”
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