The plight of Mr Olaseni Arotiba, a 75-year-old blind man who has been abandoned by his children, has sparked a wave of sympathy and concern in the Nigerian community. A Good Samaritan, Olapeju Agunbiade, took to Facebook to share the elderly man's story after he was left stranded at Omotayo Maternity late at night. Mr Arotiba revealed that his children, Mayorkun and his daughter, had abandoned him, citing their busy schedules and the need to care for their mother.
According to Mr Arotiba, his son had been paying for his hotel stay, but when the hotel needed to renovate, he was evicted. His children were called by the hotel to come and pick him up, but neither of them showed up. The maternity staff even attempted to contact his children, but they refused to take responsibility for their father. The elderly man's daughter was particularly callous, stating that she had ceased to have a father when she was a child.
The incident has raised concerns about the neglect and abandonment of elderly parents by their children in Nigeria. Many families are struggling to cope with the economic challenges and social pressures of modern life, leading to a breakdown in traditional family relationships. However, as Olapeju Agunbiade pointed out, this is a problem that can be prevented if parents take an active role in their children's lives.
Efforts are being made to find a nursing home for Mr Arotiba, but so far, none have been successful. His bank account contains a mere N10,000, highlighting the dire need for support and care. The community has rallied around him, with many offering words of encouragement and support. Olapeju Agunbiade's Facebook post has gone viral, sparking a national conversation about the importance of family responsibility and care for the elderly.
In a final message, Olapeju Agunbiade urged parents to be involved in the lives of their families, saying "omo ni yi, omo ni de" - meaning "family is life". She also reminded people that the future is closer than we assume, and that neglecting our family members can have devastating consequences. The incident serves as a wake-up call for all of us to re-examine our values and priorities, and to take responsibility for our loved ones.
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