In a quiet corner of Adigoro community near Magbon, Abeokuta, where neighbors once gathered to admire his craftsmanship, a man who spent decades building homes for others, a man who worked with Aron Construction Company, now lies abandoned in one of his own.
Once a respected and successful mason, known for his diligence and integrity, Mr. [Name Withheld] is today a shadow of his former self. Years ago, a
stroke struck him down, robbing him of mobility and independence. What it did not take, however, was his dignity—until now.
Today, that dignity hangs by a thread.
Unable to move without assistance, the elderly man lives alone in a feaces filled structure, confined to a space he can no longer properly care for. With no one to help him regularly, he is forced to relieve himself where he lies. The stench, neighbors say, is unbearable. The sight, even more so.
“It is heartbreaking,” said a resident who preferred to remain anonymous. “This is a man who helped many people build their homes. He was strong, kind, and respected. Now look at him—left like this.”
Ironically, Mr. [Name Withheld] is not without family. He is said to have three wives and eight children. Yet, none are present in his daily struggle. Community members allege that despite his condition, his family has largely abandoned him.
Recently, concerns deepened when it was revealed that the family had collected ₦70,000 from the sale of a portion of his property—funds reportedly meant for his care. Little evidence of that care is visible today.
Now, there are fresh attempts to sell off the remainder of his property, allegedly to fund his welfare. But many in the community are skeptical.
“If they couldn’t take care of him with the money they already collected, what assurance do we have that selling everything will help him?” another resident asked.
In the absence of family support, it has been a lone Good Samaritan who occasionally steps in to offer what little help he can—cleaning, feeding, and providing basic care. But one person cannot shoulder such a burden alone.
Efforts by concerned individuals to involve the appropriate government welfare authorities are ongoing, but progress has been slow—time the ailing man may not have.
This tragic situation raises urgent questions about family responsibility, societal neglect, and the gaps in support systems for vulnerable citizens.
As Mr. [Name Withheld] lies in silent suffering, the community watches—helpless, heartbroken, and hoping that someone, somewhere, will hear his story and act.
For now, a man who once built shelter for others is left without the most basic care within his own.
