Veteran Nollywood actress Taiwo Ajai-Lycett has advised the youth to desist from describing the elderly as “old school.”
That, she noted, was gross disrespect and not rooted in African culture.
Speaking in an interview with the media during her 83rd birthday, Ajai-Lycett, who doubles as a cosmetologist, stated that aging comes with a responsibility, and she was grateful to God.
“Yes, I am 83 years old today, and I give glory to God. I begin to see 80 as 60; we have a lot of work to do. It is a stage of life that one needs to continue to give back to society, share, and help others. I will say aluta continua; the struggle continues,” she stated.
Ajai-Lycett observed that many youth were disrespecting the elderly and urged them to rather learn from the experiences their elders had garnered to become responsible individuals.
“I hear many of our youths calling the aged old school; this is wrong; the youth should be ready at all times to respect and learn from the elderly.”
“The experiences and life lessons the elderly have been able to garner over the years should be relayed to the youth to make them better individuals.
“So, today I will advise the youth to learn from us and respect us; there are lots to be tapped from the elderly,” she added.
As part of her 83rd birthday celebration, the veteran took to her Instagram page to thank God for her good health and wealth.
She encouraged her fans to always show love to those around them and to not stop telling those people how much they loved them.
“Beautiful people, experience life, be present, let go of things you cannot control, spend time with the people you love and never stop telling them you love them.
“Don’t wait until you are old to realise this. Really, there’s nothing significant to consider in life except the joy of life. So live. Happy Birthday to me,” she said.
Ajai-Lycett is a renowned international actress with over 50 years of experience in film, stage, and television who made her debut in 1967 at the UK’s Avant Garde, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London.
The actress subsequently trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the City Literary Institute, the Dance Centre, and the Actors’ Studio in London.
Source: Ghana/MaxTV/MaxFM/max.com.gh/Joyceline Natally Cudjoe
