Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has called on Germany-based Nigerian entrepreneur, Mr. Godfrey Evurulobi, to invest in geriatric care services in Abia, emphasizing the growing need for structured elderly care facilities in the state.
Dr. Ikpeazu made the appeal during a visit to the Cologne headquarters of the Gosab Group of Companies, where Mr. Evurulobi serves as Chief Executive Officer. The visit included a tour of the company’s facilities and interactions with key staff members involved in elderly care delivery across Germany.
Lauding Gosab’s achievements in one of Europe’s most regulated healthcare environments, Dr. Ikpeazu said, “What you are doing here is truly remarkable. The impact of your services on the lives of senior citizens is inspiring. I strongly urge you to replicate this model in Nigeria — particularly in Aba. I believe you have both the capacity and the credibility to run a successful geriatric care facility at home.”
Ikpeazu noted that geriatric care had been a focus during his administration, leading to the creation of a Geriatric Unit in the Office of the Governor, a project spearheaded by diasporan physician Dr. Chulks Osondu. He recalled heartbreaking cases in which elderly individuals in Abia were discovered in poor health, living in isolation, and relying on expired medications due to the absence of professional home care services.
“There is an urgent and increasing demand for reliable elderly care,” Ikpeazu said. “Many Nigerian families abroad are desperately seeking dependable local options for their aging loved ones. This is both a humanitarian need and a viable investment opportunity.”
Mr. Evurulobi, who has previously hosted two conventions of the Premier International Association with Dr. Ikpeazu as keynote speaker, expressed gratitude for the visit and acknowledged the former governor’s continued commitment to public service even after leaving office.
“It is highly commendable that you still champion causes that promote the welfare of Abians,” Evurulobi said. He revealed that Gosab already operates a hospital in Aba, and plans for a dedicated geriatric care home are under active consideration by the company’s management.
He also thanked Dr. Ikpeazu for encouraging his team and expressed optimism about future collaborations aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
The visit underscores the growing interest in diaspora-led investments in Nigeria’s healthcare sector and the potential for private-public partnerships to address the nation’s elderly care challenges.
