General News
UNIDOP 2026: COSROPIN Organizes Train Ride, Airport Tour For Older Persons in Abuja, Tasks Them On Healthy Living
As part of activities to commemorate this year’s United Nations International Day for Older Persons, the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria, COSROPIN, has organized a train ride and tour of International Airport, Local GAT and Presidential Airport of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja for older persons in the Federal Capital Territory.
The train ride which commenced from Abuja Metro Light Rail took the older persons through Kukwaba, Wupa, Bassanjiwa, Stadium, Idu and terminated at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja where they tour round the Local and International Wings of the Airport.
Speaking during the event in Abuja, the President of COSROPIN, Senator Eze Ajoku said the essence was part of efforts to ensure longevity, rethinking system for longer lives for older persons which is in line with the theme of this year’s celebration.
Senator Eze Ajoku who stated that the train ride and tour of airport facilities was also to enable the older persons socialize and network advised them to always engage in healthy activities owards ensuring a graceful and healthy ageing.
According to Senator Eze Ajoku, COSROPIN will not relent in promoting and engaging in programmes and activities that would improve the living conditions of older persons in the country.
“Many of the older persons were so excited for the train ride because some of them are not privileged to do so before and even at the airport were so happy seen aeroplanes on the ground for the first time in their lives aside the ones they’ve been seeing in the sky and this was indeed a memorable outing for them because they’re not part of priviledged Nigerians who goes by air and mentally they don’t understand how it happens”He said
In his words “on Thursday this week, COSROPIN in collaboration with GYB Club at Yar’Adua Barracks will be holding a golf tournament for older persons who are 60 years and above after which prizes would be awarded and on Monday, the 12th of October, 2026 , there will be a football match for old people and another football team by 3pm in Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki Abuja and finally on the 15th of October, 2026 we’ll be having our usual road walk asking people to be gracious to old people, be kind to them and give them their rights because they are the ones who harbour the history of this country, build this nation and they are the memory of our archives therefore older persons need to be respected ” Senator Eze Ajoku explained
Some of the older persons who took part in the train ride and tour of airport facilities, Mr Kolade Bolarinwa, Hajiya Rakiya Abdulkareem and Chief Chukwudi Okoli commended COSROPIN for the train ride and tour of airport facilities noting that the event would remain a memorable one for them.
They used the opportunity to appealed to the Federal Government to put in place free healthcare and transportation system for older persons to cushion the effects of current economic challenges among them.