By Ikenna Osuoha

Sen. Eze Ajoku, President, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), on Tuesday urged older persons to always be happy and laugh when necessary.

He said researches had shown that happiness and laughter are vital in maintaining a healthy living.

Ajoku said this during the coalition’s Valentine celebration with older persons in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Kuchingoro, Abuja.

He urged elderly persons not to be weighed down by the negative side life.

“Don’t allow yourselves to be excluded, find something that will make you happy, socialise, have fun.

“Remember that this is one day people all over the world are happy, they are happy because they are celebrating good things of live.

“If you feel that life is weighing down on you, just smile and laugh, laughter is medicinal,” he said.

The coalition president, who reiterated the commitment of the coalition to surmounting the plight of older persons, said the visit was being being replicated at the sub-national levels.

He described Valentine as a time to show love as demonstrated by the coalition with donation of food stuff such as rice, noodles among others to the older persons in the camp.

Also speaking, Mrs Vivian Ugwu, Head of Administration, Dewdrop Foundation described love as a way of sharing in other people’s pain and joy.

Ugwu affirmed the willingness of Dewdrop Foundation in collaboration with COSROPIN to continue to put smiles on the faces of older persons.

Mr Ishiaku Abdullahi, Chairman, Elders in Kuchingoro IDP camp, expressed appreciation to the Ajoku-led coalition for extending hands of love and care to them.

Ishiaku prayed God to enlarge their coast and grant them the grace to excel in all their endeavour.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Feb. 14 every year is Valentine’s in celebration of love. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Uche Anunne