It’s wrong to call elderly people old school, Ajai-Lycett tells youth as she turns 83

Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, the ace Nigerian actress, says it is “disrespectful” for youth to refer to elderly people as “old school”. 

Speaking with NAN, Ajai-Lycett, who turned 83 on Saturday, advised the youth to imbibe the African culture of respect.

She also urged the youth to make conscious efforts to learn from the wealth of experience in all life issues from elderly people.

“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 the society, share and help others. I will say aluta continua, the struggle continues,” she said.

“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 a lot to be tapped from the elderly.”

Ajai-Lycett also took to her Instagram page to appreciate God “for keeping me healthy and wealthy”.

“This is 83. I give God so much thanks for keeping me healthy and wealthy,” she wrote.

“Since “Time Flies” is a true and humbing statement, I have learned over the years to just accept my age and cherish every second.

“As you get older, you encounter individuals from many walks of life, have life-altering experiences, you’ll cherish your loved ones more and you’ll develop patience and understanding.

“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 ❤️.”

 

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Born on February 3, 1941, Ajai-Lycett is an acclaimed international actress with over 50 years of experience in film, stage and television.

She made her debut in 1967 at the UK’s Avant Garde, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London.

She subsequently trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, City Literary Institute, the Dance Centre, and the Actors’ Studio in London.

Ajai-Lycett’s credits include the BBC’s ‘Some Mothers Do ‘Av ‘Em’; ‘Crown Court’, notable Nigerian TV productions, including ‘Winds Against My Soul’, and Africa Magic’s ‘Tinsel’ among others.