MAGIC OF HALLELUJAH DIET

It's widely believed that life begins at 40. However, former senator, Eze Ajoku, has said that 50 years is the stage to begin preparing for a joyous and graceful aging. This can explain why he regards men and women, who have attained the golden age, as aged. And his vision is to help them age happily.

From formulating laws in the National Assembly to reaching out to enhance the quality of life of the aged, Ajoku founded Graceful Aging Fellowship (GRAF). The fellowship is a non-denominational forum, which serves as meeting point for men and women who desire to age with grace. The concept is designed to help people who have attained 50 years to live longer and healthier through divine knowledge. According to the founder, a lot of deaths can be avoided if people imbibe a healthy living culture.

Ajoku's effort and commitment at promoting graceful aging, through spiritual and physical wellness among senior citizens, has received numerous accolades, recognitions and commendations. Recently, the initiative earned him the 2010 Indulge Award in health.

The ex-senator, in a chat with Saturday Sun, talked about activities of GRAF, which, he said, attaches a lot of importance to regular exercises. He urged the government to take matters affecting the aged more seriously.

While narrating the experience leading to the establishment of GRAF, he recalled: 'I was very sick in June, 2009. When I visited my doctor, he recommended a lifeclass change since I was diabetic. He talked to me about a diet programme called Hallelujah Diet, which basically encouraged that I eat 70 per cent uncooked meal supported with exercises. Because of my health condition at that time, the fear of death was still over me. By sheer providence, my church had a three-day programme, during which the preacher was used by the Holy Spirit to open my spiritual eyes to know who really I am in Christ.'

He said that if not for divine intervention he would have died, mainly due to ignorance. 'The Bible says that my people destroyed for lack of knowledge. If you're able to know your health condition, you'll manage crisis when it comes. We encourage a lot of people to know their health status, get doctors to talk to people on different aspects of health.

'So, some weeks in this new experience, the Spirit of God encouraged me to share with those in my age bracket what the recognition of 'who we are in Christ' can do for ageing. The Holy Spirit recognises all the ageing-related problems but assured me that, as with my new experience, ageing could be exciting if we work with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directed that I should start elders fellowship, where the word of God and information related to ageing problems would be provided.'

Ajoku disclosed that as the message kept coming, he shared the vision with his wife and pastor, who spoke with other people, leading to the birth of the group.

'Afterwards, the Lord led me to calling a meeting of the two pastors, my wife and my doctor, who prescribed Hallelujah Diet. And we shared the vision again. With their support and advice to reduce the age bracket from 60 to 50 and above, I invited all the 50-year-olds and above in my church. At the beginning, 30 people were in attendance. After we met in the church for about four times, we launched the fellowship on October 10, 2009,' he said.

The ex-lawmaker said the group wants to achieve many things. According to him, 'Graceful Ageing Fellowship is a forum for Christian men and women (aged 50 and above, herein called the elderly) to converge to share common values, principles, experiences, be taught how to age with grace and to avoid untimely death. Our aim is to develop a comprehensive programme that will cater for the elder's total man Spirit, Soul and Body.

'Many Christians, after age 50, experience challenges in their physical health. Many are no longer active in the business of the Kingdom of God, while others are affected by dwindling fortunes in their economic life. The diets and lifeclass of many elderly persons also affect their health and wellbeing. However, life can be as joy even as we advance in age.'

According to him, GRAF has, as its mission, providing its members access to resources and related information that are invaluable for ageing gracefully. And this, among others, includes encouraging men and women over 50 to age with grace, avoiding untimely death through behavioral changes.

Others, according to Ajoku, include, 'proffering solutions to health problems associated with ageing. We will bring medical and spiritual experts to discuss health issues at our fellowships, such as hypertension, stroke, cancers (prostate, breast, cervical, etc), menopause, hormonal imbalances, arthritis, etc. Provide support and accountability within the forum, where the elderly Christians are exhorted to lay hold on the Word of God that would engender their spiritual growth and spiritual leadership roles. That they may know who they are and God's finished work in their lives.

'In addition, we provide opportunities for planned outreaches to the elderly. The forum also deals with issues associated with economic empowerment through advisory roles of experienced members to those in business, retiring, making investment, or starting businesses. The forum does not give loans or provide money to members for their needs for now. Empowerment seminars will be organised.'

Ajoku said that admission is free for all from the age of 50 and above. Also, he revealed, 'we allow younger people to benefit from our programmes. The registration fee is N500 or its equivalent per annum. The fellowship has no denominational affiliations or church ambitions other than our shared goals, values and faith.'

The former senator further stressed the need to government, companies, wealthy individuals as well as corporate organisations to buy into this lofty ideal and help the elderly.