83-year-old Ajai-Lycett urges the younger generation to refrain from labeling the elderly as ‘old school’, emphasizing the irrelevance and unfairness of such categorizations.
Taiwo Ajai-Lycett thanked God on Saturday for reaching the age of 83 and exhorted the youth to embrace the African culture of respect.
The term “Old School” has become a common colloquialism in contemporary conversations, particularly among the younger demographic. While seemingly harmless, Ajai-Lycett contends that this label carries an undertone of disrespect towards the elderly, undermining their significance and relegating their experiences to a bygone era. Her plea resonates as a call to bridge the generational gap and foster understanding between the youth and the elderly.
At 83 years old, Ajai-Lycett stands as a living testament to the evolution of society and the dynamic changes that have shaped Nigeria over the years. Her extensive career in the entertainment industry provides a unique perspective that transcends mere nostalgia, offering insights into the cultural shifts, societal challenges, and triumphs that have defined different eras. It is this wealth of experience that she encourages the younger generation to tap into rather than dismiss with a casual label.
Ajai-Lycett, made the suggestion in a telephone conversation with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
She claimed that the younger generation likes to call the elderly “Old School,” which she said showed disrespect for the old.
Respect, according to Ajai-Lycett, is not merely a token acknowledgment of age but a conscious effort to recognize and honor the contributions, struggles, and achievements of the older generation. She advocates for an attitude shift among the youth, urging them to engage in meaningful conversations with the elderly, learn from their experiences, and embrace the lessons embedded in their life stories.
The actress emphasizes that dismissing the elderly as ‘Old School’ not only perpetuates stereotypes but also denies the younger generation an opportunity to benefit from the accumulated wisdom of their predecessors. By reframing the narrative, Ajai-Lycett hopes to instill a sense of appreciation for the elderly and foster intergenerational dialogue that transcends superficial labels.
In addressing the relevance and fairness of labeling the elderly as ‘Old School,’ Ajai-Lycett draws attention to the inherent biases and judgments embedded in such categorizations. Age, she asserts, should not be a barrier to understanding or a justification for dismissing valuable perspectives. The term ‘Old School’ implies obsolescence, a notion that Ajai-Lycett firmly rejects, emphasizing that each generation contributes uniquely to the collective narrative of a society.
To effect change, the veteran actress encourages the incorporation of the elderly into contemporary discourse, recognizing the symbiotic relationship between the wisdom of age and the dynamism of youth. In doing so, she envisions a society where age is not a divisive factor but a unifying force that fosters collaboration, understanding, and a shared commitment to building a better future.
However, she gave the younger generation advice on how to respect and learn from the old, emphasizing that they had a wealth of knowledge to offer on many aspects of life.
“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.
“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 is a lot to be tapped from the elderly,” she said.
Additionally, Ajai-Lycett expressed her gratitude for God on her Instagram profile on her birthday.
She wrote: “This is 83. I give God so much thanks for keeping me healthy and wealthy.
“Since “Time Flies” is a true and humbling 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 ❤️.”
Ajai-Lycett is a highly regarded international actress with over 50 years of experience in film, stage, and television.
She made her début in 1967 at the UK’s Avant Garde, Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, London.
She later studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the City Literary Institute, the Dance Centre, and the Actors’ Studio in London.
