Prof. Chris Piwuna Champions Elderly Care as Plateau State Marks 2026 International Day of Older Persons

Dakwom Long’gul reports from Jos

​Speaking during the 2026 International Day of Older Persons celebration in Lamingo, Jos, Professor Chris Piwuna, Chief Medical Director of Gifted Minds—the first elderly care facility in Northern Nigeria, located in Plateau State—addressed key demographic shifts facing the elderly population. Highlighting global and national data, Prof. Piwuna stated:

​”The world is seeing more older persons; it’s about 1.2 billion now, it’s expected to be in another 10 years or so 2.1 billion, and Nigeria is not left out… by 2050 we expect that we’ll have close to 30 million people within this range.”

​He emphasized that with these figures, urgent measures are needed from regional governments, civil society, and healthcare practitioners to improve care access, dedicated housing, and quality of life for senior citizens.

​The event was organized by the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN), Plateau State Branch, in collaboration with the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) under the theme “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”.

​Adding to the discussion, Dr. Esther Ismaila, a Public Health Physician, emphasized that health initiatives for older persons must focus not only on increasing lifespan, but also on enhancing vitality, financial resilience, and social inclusion. She advocated for policy shifts toward free and accessible healthcare services for elderly citizens across Nigeria.

​The outreach provided medical assessments, social engagements, and recreational activities for residents of Gifted Minds, serving as a platform to demand policy-driven support and healthcare reforms for older adults nationwide. 

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Prof. Piwuna Champions Elderly Care…